The president of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata has come out with a bold declaration that his tenure at the helm of the sport has produced the best organised sector in the country and they keep on getting better
Sports247 reports that Akpata reeled our several achievements he has already recorded within a short while of taking the helm of affairs of the NCF and thanked everyone who has made it possible, especially in using cricket as a vehicle for social change.
He recalled making a three-point promise after his emergence as NCF’s president, with his focus on priorities for better facilities, improved welfare and sustained grassroots activities, all of which he said are unfolding.
Akpata also restated his target of making cricket one of Nigeria’s top-three sporting disciplines through grassroots expansion, upgrade of facilities, sustainable foundation and avoiding all kinds of short-term efforts.
He added in an interview with Toyin Ibitoye TV. “We are arguably the best-organized sports federation in the country today. Through our structured data and tracking systems, we can identify a young talent from a remote grassroots project and trace their pathway all the way to national elite teams.
“We went to the IDP camp in Benin City and reached out to over 2,000 children who are now passionately involved in the game. It gave us our first global award for the ‘Cricket 4Good Initiative.’
“The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently honoured the NCF with the Global Cricket 4Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year Award and a female cricketer, Lucky Piety is a product of the cricket federation’s pathways.
“Last year, she was arguably the best female cricketer in Africa outside of South Africa, having earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the continental qualifier.”
The NCF’s top official further disclosed that, in their efforts towards exposing grassroots talent to international competitions, NCF started Nigeria Super League (NSL), which was designed to expose home-based players to intensive conditions, while future editions will adopt a franchise-style format with international stars.
“The goal is to bring some of the best cricketers from across Africa to compete alongside our local talent. Moving forward, foreign players will participate to raise the quality, tempo and commercial appeal of the league.
“Through partnerships with public and private stakeholders, we have upgraded key turf pitches, including Lagos Cricket Club at TBS, UNILAG, Ibadan’s Government College Oval, facilities in Edo State and Abuja, adding modern indoor training centres to support year-round development.
“The trajectory is clear. With the talent emerging from every region and the structures we have put in place, the next three years will be transformative for cricket in Nigeria,” Akpata submitted.
, Uyi Akpata has come out with a bold declaration that his tenure at the helm of the sport){kind=link}