By Adeyemi Robinson-Adefioye Lagos
Some top hierarchies of the International Cricket Council have arrived Nigeria on Saturday September 24th 2020 on a working visit, they are William Glenwright, General Manager, Development and Patricia Kambarami Development Manager, Africa.
Meanwhile countries taking part in the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup African Division 2 Qualifier will start arriving Abuja, from Tuesday September 27th ahead of the Friday September 30th kick off date for the event.
The two ICC officials who are in Lagos will also be visiting, Edo State and Abuja in a trip that is tied to the upswing in Cricket activities and cricket development index in the country.
The president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata said while the two activities are happening at two separate ends of the country, they are linked.
“Nigeria’s recent developmental effort has aroused global interest and the consistent churning of positive data to back active engagement in the sport means that we will continue to get visits like this.
“Like never before, we have had dedicated promoters of the game, starting from the board of the Nigeria Cricket Federation and the audacious 250, 000 yearly enrolment target for new cricketers across the country too has seen our grassroots developmental team perform at unprecedented rate.” Akpata said.
Nigeria has won 3 consecutive international awards in the last 4 years including the Global 2022 The Best ICC Social Impact Program. Which was awarded for the works done with cricket as a tool for social change at the Internally Displaced People’s camp in Edo State.
Glenwright and Karambami will be touching base with a number of cricket initiatives across the country while they are around.
On the other hand, Sierra Leone has been announced as the first of the seven teams that will be arriving the country between Tuesday September 27th and Wednesday September 28th, 2022 for the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup African Division 2 Qualifier to be hosted at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Ghana, Mozambique and Botswana have all confirmed their arrival for Wednesday where they all will be joining Nigeria to fight for the three spots available for Division 1 World Cup Qualifier from September 30 to October 8th, 2022.
Akpata said the hosting of the ICC event is another feat that country has not taken lightly because of the facility and human capacity that had to be put in place for it to happen.
“These are not mean feats and we are delighted to be seen for our potentials and human capitals investments and hopefully soon too our cricket talents” he added.
Nigeria maiden Cricket World Cup Qualification was achieved with the Men’s Under 19 team and the Federation says the team is primed for a good outing when the tournament starts later in the week.
