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Cricket in Nigeria
NIGERIA CRICKET: IN FOCUS
In May 2006, Kwesi Sagoe was elected as the new President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
Sagoe comes from a proud cricketing family that has provided three generations of Nigerian national representatives.
The emergence of Sagoe as the new Nigerian cricket boss has raised the question; can the new leadership turn Nigeria into a cricketing force?
Nigeria has been talked about as a sleeping giant of the sport in Africa for a few years and with a population of over 130 million people there is certainly a vast potential player and fan base in waiting.
Like all African countries, soccer is king in Nigeria and all other sports must fight for their share of the market.
However, countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Tanzania have been able to find a way to develop the sport to the point where all four will be competing in the 2007/2009 ICC World Cricket League, so there is room for cricket, even in soccer mad Africa.
The Signs are Promising
Cricket has made some serious inroads in Nigeria in recent years. There are now 20 states out of the 37 which play cricket in Nigeria and around 15 of them already have a schools competition.
According to Sagoe, this is only the beginning.
" There is a vision to introduce the game to more kids in two manners: A national schools development project that will seek to establish the game in 2 new schools in each state in the first year and in such multiples annually. Such introduction to include training teachers and games masters in addition to provision of rudimentary equipment. This will be complemented by a national schools cricket tournament that will involve 64 schools (896 students) drawn from 15 states at inception but to spread to cover at least 25 states in 3 years. This will allow students showcase their skills in a competitive environment."
With 25 states involved in the program, there is the potential for 50 new schools to be added to the national program on an annual basis. Imagine 250 new schools playing cricket in Nigeria over the next five years. It is an exciting prospect for followers of the game who believe in home grown players.
The Howzat Foundation For Cricket
The Howzat Foundation For Cricket was founded in 1991 by a dedicated group of fans and players concerned at the lack of cricket taking place in Nigeria at the time. The ICC awarded program has introduced cricket to thousands of kids and has discovered many players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at Under 19 and senior level. Around 60 schools in the Lagos area are part of the program at the moment and the foundation's activities have expanded to include the states of Anambra, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo. The foundation has also formed two senior clubs, The Pioneers and The Dolphins, in the Lagos league, which has provided a pathway into club cricket for graduates of the program. Dr Michael Ayivor, The Chief Executive of the Foundation explains further.
" Howzat Foundation For Cricket is a private not-for-profit sports organization committed to youth and cricket development in Nigeria. I may state here that our programs include other activities that go to add value to the lives of youngsters. In this regard, we attract the children with cricket programs and introduce them to other activities through career talks, reproductive health, menace of cultism, playing/educational tours and assist in their preparation to admission to secondary and tertiary institutions. We also have junior members (boys and girls) all of them in primary schools. The Foundation thus has built a pathway through which youngsters can play the game from primary schools to international level under the umbrella of the Foundation. "
The Board of Trustees is currently made up of twelve (12) individuals who have had long standing relationships with cricket as players and later as administrators and enthusiasts.
They are: Chairman -Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie
Vice Chairman -Dr John Abebe
Chief Executive -Dr Michael Ayivor
Members: -Mr. Busuyi Onabolu, Chief Chris Okunowo, Mr. Kole Ojutalayo, Dr. Bode Karunwi, Mr. Banwo Smith, Mr. Donald Ovberedjo, Mr. Garen Siekpe, Mr. Nimbe Oviosu
Secretary -Mr. Olisa Egwuatu
The Executive Team is made up of staff and volunteers. Augustine Iya-Nya, Onome Oghenekevwe, Endurance Ofem, Austin Areghan, Joseph Eshua and Dayo Lawal.
While not actually connected in anyway with the Nigeria Cricket Federation, The Howzat Foundation works with the full support of the national body.
As a non-profit organization, The Howzat Foundation For Cricket relies on private donations and as Dr Ayivor points out, contributions are vital for the continued success of the initiative.
" Funding is almost entirely provided from private sources-trustees, corporate bodies and other individuals. At the end of each cricket season we publish and distribute a report of our activities for that season. The report includes a list of financial and material donations to the foundation."
For more information about The Howzat Foundation For Cricket, check out the website at http://www.howzatfoundationforcricket.org.ng/
Grounds
According to the ICC, Nigeria has 18 cricket grounds, none of which have turf wickets. NCF President Kwesi Sagoe plans to change this.
" There are currently no turf pitches in the country. They are mostly mats on cement, laterite or asphalt. We have a vision to build two turf pitches before the end of our tenure in 2009."
National Tournament
For the purpose of increased competition and better talent identification practices, The Nigerian Cricket Federation plans to re-introduce a national cricket competition as Sagoe explains.
"There used to be a national cricket championship up to about 10 years ago. There is a plan to revive this and states will be zoned for this purpose. Each zone will provide a qualifier that will proceed into a national zonal qualifiers series from whence four teams emerge for a national final series that will see the emergence of a winner. The league will be played on a club basis."
Media Coverage
Cricket needs all the promotion it can get in African newspapers. Some countries such as Uganda have daily cricket coverage in the local papers while others struggle to get a paragraph written in a month.
The Nigerian Cricket Federation are doing their best to get the media interested as Sagoe points out.
"The newspapers report cricket generally though space given to it is restricted but a lot of progress is being made in this respect. In the first week of this month as part of events marking the ICC-Africa cricket week, a cricket-reporting seminar was held to improve the skills of identified sports journalists. Also arrangements have been firmed up with a well-read Nigerian Guardian newspaper to introduce a weekly cricket page that will cover both foreign and local cricket news in conjunction with the NCF who will provide the materials."
Local cricket does not get television coverage in Nigeria although excerpts have been shown on the news and of course there is satellite/cable coverage of international cricket for those few in Africa who are lucky enough to be able to afford it. If cricket is to become a mainstream sport in Nigeria, the media will be called upon to play a major role.
The Next Three Years
In a nutshell, Sagoe and the Nigerian Cricket Federation have outlined a six point plan to take cricket to the next level.
"There is a 6-point vision for cricket in Nigeria in the next 3 years. The 6 points are:
1. Build at least 2 turf wickets:
2. Revive a national club championship:
3. Commence a national schools development program that will be complemented by a national schools championship:
4. Improve the playing standard of the Nigerian national team:
5. Improve the administrative support for the game by having a vibrant and well-equipped secretariat:
6. Ensure that ICC funding is supplanted by local sponsorships."
Although recent international results haven't been good for Nigeria, the basic infrastructure and development initiatives are being pieced together quite quickly now and if things go to plan perhaps the national team will be in a position to compete successfully at World League level within 10 years if not sooner, judging by Tanzania's rapid recent rise up the rankings.
Naturally, The Nigerian Cricket Federation would appreciate hearing from anyone around the world who can donate cricket equipment to help sustain the junior programs, which are in place already and those that are in the planning stages.
Note: Earlier in 2006 The Bankstown Cricket Club in Australia donated a container load of cricket equipment to The Uganda Cricket Association.
Four Young Players to Watch Out For
Jide Bejide, Lekan Awolowo, Demola Onikoyi and Seun Odeku. (All four are graduates of The Howzat Foundation)
The Statistics
Nigeria
Players: 5,365
Active Umpires: 30
Active Coaches: 30
Grounds: 18
Employees: 5
The NCF Board:
Kwesi Sagoe - President (Representing South-West Zone)
Yahaya Ukwenya (Dr)- 1st Vice-President (Representing North-Central
Zone)
Ewa Henshaw - 2nd Vice-President (Representing South-South Zone)
Alfa Mohammed - Member (Representing North-West Zone)
Chuma Anosike - Member (Representing South-East Zone)
Abba Lawan - Member (Representing North-East Zone)
Paul Taiwo (Col) - Member (Representing the Armed Forces)
Grace Asagba (Mrs.) - Member (Representing Association of Women in
Sports)
Bidemi Akinola (Mrs.) - Secretary (representing Ministry Of Sports)
Special thanks to NCF President Kwesi Sagoe and Howzat Foundation For Cricket Chief Executive Dr Michael Ayivor for their contributions toward this feature.
NIGERIA CRICKET: IN FOCUS
In May 2006, Kwesi Sagoe was elected as the new President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
Sagoe comes from a proud cricketing family that has provided three generations of Nigerian national representatives.
The emergence of Sagoe as the new Nigerian cricket boss has raised the question; can the new leadership turn Nigeria into a cricketing force?
Nigeria has been talked about as a sleeping giant of the sport in Africa for a few years and with a population of over 130 million people there is certainly a vast potential player and fan base in waiting.
Like all African countries, soccer is king in Nigeria and all other sports must fight for their share of the market.
However, countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Namibia and Tanzania have been able to find a way to develop the sport to the point where all four will be competing in the 2007/2009 ICC World Cricket League, so there is room for cricket, even in soccer mad Africa.
The Signs are Promising
Cricket has made some serious inroads in Nigeria in recent years. There are now 20 states out of the 37 which play cricket in Nigeria and around 15 of them already have a schools competition.
According to Sagoe, this is only the beginning.
" There is a vision to introduce the game to more kids in two manners: A national schools development project that will seek to establish the game in 2 new schools in each state in the first year and in such multiples annually. Such introduction to include training teachers and games masters in addition to provision of rudimentary equipment. This will be complemented by a national schools cricket tournament that will involve 64 schools (896 students) drawn from 15 states at inception but to spread to cover at least 25 states in 3 years. This will allow students showcase their skills in a competitive environment."
With 25 states involved in the program, there is the potential for 50 new schools to be added to the national program on an annual basis. Imagine 250 new schools playing cricket in Nigeria over the next five years. It is an exciting prospect for followers of the game who believe in home grown players.
The Howzat Foundation For Cricket
The Howzat Foundation For Cricket was founded in 1991 by a dedicated group of fans and players concerned at the lack of cricket taking place in Nigeria at the time. The ICC awarded program has introduced cricket to thousands of kids and has discovered many players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at Under 19 and senior level. Around 60 schools in the Lagos area are part of the program at the moment and the foundation's activities have expanded to include the states of Anambra, Edo, Delta, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo. The foundation has also formed two senior clubs, The Pioneers and The Dolphins, in the Lagos league, which has provided a pathway into club cricket for graduates of the program. Dr Michael Ayivor, The Chief Executive of the Foundation explains further.
" Howzat Foundation For Cricket is a private not-for-profit sports organization committed to youth and cricket development in Nigeria. I may state here that our programs include other activities that go to add value to the lives of youngsters. In this regard, we attract the children with cricket programs and introduce them to other activities through career talks, reproductive health, menace of cultism, playing/educational tours and assist in their preparation to admission to secondary and tertiary institutions. We also have junior members (boys and girls) all of them in primary schools. The Foundation thus has built a pathway through which youngsters can play the game from primary schools to international level under the umbrella of the Foundation. "
The Board of Trustees is currently made up of twelve (12) individuals who have had long standing relationships with cricket as players and later as administrators and enthusiasts.
They are: Chairman -Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie
Vice Chairman -Dr John Abebe
Chief Executive -Dr Michael Ayivor
Members: -Mr. Busuyi Onabolu, Chief Chris Okunowo, Mr. Kole Ojutalayo, Dr. Bode Karunwi, Mr. Banwo Smith, Mr. Donald Ovberedjo, Mr. Garen Siekpe, Mr. Nimbe Oviosu
Secretary -Mr. Olisa Egwuatu
The Executive Team is made up of staff and volunteers. Augustine Iya-Nya, Onome Oghenekevwe, Endurance Ofem, Austin Areghan, Joseph Eshua and Dayo Lawal.
While not actually connected in anyway with the Nigeria Cricket Federation, The Howzat Foundation works with the full support of the national body.
As a non-profit organization, The Howzat Foundation For Cricket relies on private donations and as Dr Ayivor points out, contributions are vital for the continued success of the initiative.
" Funding is almost entirely provided from private sources-trustees, corporate bodies and other individuals. At the end of each cricket season we publish and distribute a report of our activities for that season. The report includes a list of financial and material donations to the foundation."
For more information about The Howzat Foundation For Cricket, check out the website at http://www.howzatfoundationforcricket.org.ng/
Grounds
According to the ICC, Nigeria has 18 cricket grounds, none of which have turf wickets. NCF President Kwesi Sagoe plans to change this.
" There are currently no turf pitches in the country. They are mostly mats on cement, laterite or asphalt. We have a vision to build two turf pitches before the end of our tenure in 2009."
National Tournament
For the purpose of increased competition and better talent identification practices, The Nigerian Cricket Federation plans to re-introduce a national cricket competition as Sagoe explains.
"There used to be a national cricket championship up to about 10 years ago. There is a plan to revive this and states will be zoned for this purpose. Each zone will provide a qualifier that will proceed into a national zonal qualifiers series from whence four teams emerge for a national final series that will see the emergence of a winner. The league will be played on a club basis."
Media Coverage
Cricket needs all the promotion it can get in African newspapers. Some countries such as Uganda have daily cricket coverage in the local papers while others struggle to get a paragraph written in a month.
The Nigerian Cricket Federation are doing their best to get the media interested as Sagoe points out.
"The newspapers report cricket generally though space given to it is restricted but a lot of progress is being made in this respect. In the first week of this month as part of events marking the ICC-Africa cricket week, a cricket-reporting seminar was held to improve the skills of identified sports journalists. Also arrangements have been firmed up with a well-read Nigerian Guardian newspaper to introduce a weekly cricket page that will cover both foreign and local cricket news in conjunction with the NCF who will provide the materials."
Local cricket does not get television coverage in Nigeria although excerpts have been shown on the news and of course there is satellite/cable coverage of international cricket for those few in Africa who are lucky enough to be able to afford it. If cricket is to become a mainstream sport in Nigeria, the media will be called upon to play a major role.
The Next Three Years
In a nutshell, Sagoe and the Nigerian Cricket Federation have outlined a six point plan to take cricket to the next level.
"There is a 6-point vision for cricket in Nigeria in the next 3 years. The 6 points are:
1. Build at least 2 turf wickets:
2. Revive a national club championship:
3. Commence a national schools development program that will be complemented by a national schools championship:
4. Improve the playing standard of the Nigerian national team:
5. Improve the administrative support for the game by having a vibrant and well-equipped secretariat:
6. Ensure that ICC funding is supplanted by local sponsorships."
Although recent international results haven't been good for Nigeria, the basic infrastructure and development initiatives are being pieced together quite quickly now and if things go to plan perhaps the national team will be in a position to compete successfully at World League level within 10 years if not sooner, judging by Tanzania's rapid recent rise up the rankings.
Naturally, The Nigerian Cricket Federation would appreciate hearing from anyone around the world who can donate cricket equipment to help sustain the junior programs, which are in place already and those that are in the planning stages.
Note: Earlier in 2006 The Bankstown Cricket Club in Australia donated a container load of cricket equipment to The Uganda Cricket Association.
Four Young Players to Watch Out For
Jide Bejide, Lekan Awolowo, Demola Onikoyi and Seun Odeku. (All four are graduates of The Howzat Foundation)
The Statistics
Nigeria
Players: 5,365
Active Umpires: 30
Active Coaches: 30
Grounds: 18
Employees: 5
The NCF Board:
Kwesi Sagoe - President (Representing South-West Zone)
Yahaya Ukwenya (Dr)- 1st Vice-President (Representing North-Central
Zone)
Ewa Henshaw - 2nd Vice-President (Representing South-South Zone)
Alfa Mohammed - Member (Representing North-West Zone)
Chuma Anosike - Member (Representing South-East Zone)
Abba Lawan - Member (Representing North-East Zone)
Paul Taiwo (Col) - Member (Representing the Armed Forces)
Grace Asagba (Mrs.) - Member (Representing Association of Women in
Sports)
Bidemi Akinola (Mrs.) - Secretary (representing Ministry Of Sports)
Special thanks to NCF President Kwesi Sagoe and Howzat Foundation For Cricket Chief Executive Dr Michael Ayivor for their contributions toward this feature.