By Adeyemi Robinson-Adefioye, Umuahia
The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation’, NCF, Omoruyi Akpata has described the 11th edition of South -East Cricket Tournament tagged Chuma Anosike Cup as exciting tournament.
Mr Akpata who was on ground for the tournament hinted that watching a high quality final between Anambra and Enugu states made it more colourful.
According to NCF Boss,” watching a T20 final of 182 runs from Anambra team that was littered with most Nigerian internationals in under 19 and senior levels and at the end of the day, we saw an Enugu team came back fighting. Most of the things relating to cricket were just exhibited here, fighting spirit of Team Enugu, one or two individuals also play extremely well but all I have to say is that the winner here is organizer, the whole atmosphere was fantastic”
Mr Akpata also congratulated the host of this year’s Chuma Anosike Cup, Abia State, promising that because of the platform that has been established, they are going to see Abia as the major cricket development centre in the years to come.
‘ We always believe in developmental agenda growing them from the grassroots and you can see that most of our players who have come through the pathway are the ones who have ended up being potential internationals without establish that pathway programme, I don’t think we can really develop, our plans still remains to get two hundred and fifty thousand introduce to cricket every year and I sure this competition like this is where they will exhibit their talents”.
Akpata who is also the Edo State Cricket Association Chairman, emphasized on consistency pointing out that it is not until competition comes that
the Federation invite players to camp, they must play all round adding that beyond the National tournament itself or National preparations, regional growth is a key priority for us and Chuma Anosike South East Cricket. Tournament is a typical example that I want to see other region replicate” Akpata advised .
‘it is consistence to play, sports is not just about waiting for competition before you call the athlete’s to the camp, you must play all year round whether in your school, whether in the leagues, whether national trials and rest of it, ours is just to make sure that we have an active and robust programme. This year have been really active, we have a functionally competitions, we had the NUGA Games, we have the female events, National teams will commence their camping in Lagos and Abuja
