The President of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata has issued a solemn prayer for good weather and no rain this month, so that the body’s elite league can go ahead as planned, Sports247 reports.
Akpata’s unusual prayer comes against the backdrop of the need for sunny days during cricket games, as the pitch and balls get sticky should rain begin falling during a cricket encounter, especially on sandy surfaces.
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He commended the recent Club Cricket Committee (CCC) Lagos League at Tafawa Balewa Square Oval, Lagos Island, and averred that the forthcoming elite competition will consolidate Nigeria’s growing line-up of major tournaments.
The cricket boss pointed out that the CCC season ran across six months, with games in the Premier League, Division One, 40 Overs and Women’s League, with Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association emerging overall champions.
Ibadan Old Boys defeated Rising Stars Cricket Club by 117 runs in a one-sided final to cap an impressive season, following which Akpata disclosed that he was impressed by the standard of play and continued expansion of the league.
He commended the organisers and participating clubs for a highly competitive season, with a huge depth of talent on display, then added that the NCF is now focused on introducing a new elite competition beginning from this month.
“Based on players’ statistics during the season, the coach and high-performance manager of the senior men’s team would have had a selection headache. Hopefully, depending on weather conditions, we will have an elite league in May,” Akpata said.
