Upgrade Cricket to Scoring Status in Niger Delta Games, Akpata pleads
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has again made a case for the sport to be upgraded to a scoring category at the Niger Delta Games (NDG).
President of NCF, Uyi Akpata made the appeal at the Edo Boys High School, Ugbowo, formerly Adolor College where a second exhibition U-17 match was played as part of the 2nd NDG activities. A similar demonstration game was played at the 1st NDG In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last year.
Represented by Tonye Timinandi, the National Development Manager of NCF, Akpata harped on how the development programs of NCF will be boosted through an annual competition like the NDG.
“Nigeria has now progressed to the top levels of Cricket development nations. We have consistently been rated amongst the top five nations in the world in the T20 category and being a scoring sport in the NDG will condition our young talents further for international competitions”, he argued.
Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, the Lead Consultant for Dunamis-Icon Limited, rights owners of the NDG, commended NCF for their upward trajectory in youth development and assured that the request will be examined.
Represented by the Games Project Director, Fred Edoreh, the games Main Organising Committee Co-Chairman reiterated that opportunities exists in the games for meaningful collaborations, especially in youth development programs.
“We certainly will evaluate this proposal and I am sure we can work together because the objectives remain to explore platforms in sport for youth development in the Niger Delta region”, Edoreh noted.
The exhibition matches for girls and boys categories were between the NCF teams and the NDDC teams. The players were selected from the nine Niger Delta region states just as Coaches from the states were part of the program.
Harry Iwuala, the Chairman of the Communication and Media Committee of the 2nd NDG accompanied Edoreh to the event.
With Timinandi were Mr. Onome Oghenekevwe Leonard, the NCF regional development officer, South-South, Oviawe Abraham, vice chairman of Edo State Cricket Association and Ambassador Theophilus Ibodeme, chairman of the local organising committee.
Others are Osasu Agbonwanegbe, Senior Special Advicer to the NCF President, Kelvin Agbonwanegbe, Special Assistant to the NCF President and Marvellous Oyiwui, Chairman of Umpires and Scorers.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
