Faith vs Juju at Zim Cricket Union

Lazarus Sauti

Talented Zimbabwe national cricket spin bowler Prosper Utseya believes that black magic, popularly known as juju in sporting circles, will never work and give yield, urging fellow cricketers to put faith in God if they are to prosper as individuals and as a team.

In an interview, Utseya urged fellow cricketers to desist from using juju to get places in the first team and assuming that they can win matches using black magic, but said only God will elevate the players if they use their talents wisely and faithfully.

“Those who do not have faith in God and use juju believe it works. Those who do not, believe it does not,” he said.

Though the team has dark days encapsulated by financial constraints and a mediocre talent, the 28-year old sportsman believes that the squad should possess the faith as of a small mustard seed if they are to turn their stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

For Utseya, faith is the bird that sings before dawn, and without it, the world would be lifeless.

The national cricket team players, according to Utseya, have gone for five months without salaries and that has put the management and coaches on the firing squad in the midst of the thick of things though his belief is that problems rocking Zimbabwe Cricket can be things of the past if leaders have faith in the power of God.

“It is not a secret that Zimbabwe Cricket is in the midst of some serious financial strife. The management is under fire from players who are demanding their unpaid salaries for five months. Even though there have been difficulties we shall prevail.

“But it is easier to solve these problems as our leaders just need to be faithful and understand that going to church is not enough but investing a great deal in faith is the way to go.

“As a sportsman, I do not believe in juju because it does not work. It is just sports psychology but some athletes are dupped into believing that juju will improve their performance.

“To be successful in cricket or any sporting discipline, one requires faith, dedication, and focus. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. I certainly would not have achieved a lot in life without faith in God. We are made in the image of God; with Him, nothing is impossibilities,” said the former Churchill High School Student.

Utseya highlighted that God did not promise days without pain nor did He promised laughter without sorrow but He did promise strength for the day and comfort for the tears that people shed in life, and that seems to be the motto the cricketer has put in heart.

As the national cricket team prepares for matches against Ireland, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the main T20 World Cup tournament to be staged in Bangladesh in March, Utseya called on supporters to pray for the ensemble.

His first date with cricket was at Chipembere Primary School in High Highfield before attending Churchill High School, the cradle of many black Zimbabwean players, and finally getting his scholarship from the country’s cricket union.

Utseya is the first and joint world record holder for conceding the least number of runs (6runs) in a T20 International after bowling the complete quota of overs (4 overs is the maximum quota in a T20 match).

 

Player Profile

Quick Facts:

Name:                          Prosper Utseya.

D.O.B:                                    29 March 1985.

Playing Role:               Bowler

Bowling Style:            Right-arm off break

Batting Style:              Right-arm bat

Major teams:               Zimbabwe Easterns, Mashonaland Eagles, Mountaineers and Zimbabwe Select XI.

Favourite Verse:          Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Favourite Quote:         Faith is taking the step even when you did not see the whole staircase. – Martin Luther King, Jr.