Nigerian cricket, among the first sports introduced into the country by the colonialists, has come a long way since the turn of the century. From disappearing from the Cricket League to appearing in its first U-20 Cup, Nigerian cricket has in recent years witnessed phenomenal growth and everybody associated with the sport agrees that something is going right in the administrative architecture of the gentleman’s game.
During the week, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Uyi Akpata, told a group of businessmen that his sport is so successful because it is the best-run sport in the country.
Speaking while pitching cricket to the private sector at an event in Lagos tagged ‘Cricket meet Corporates’ on Victoria Island, Lagos, Akpata said: “I’d like to say the Nigeria Cricket Federation structure is the best I have seen around, and it is modeled from my experience in the private sector.”
The meeting was meant for accountability to stakeholders, and to pitch the future of the game to new and potential sponsors. Akpata, a career accountant, told cricket stakeholders that the three international awards won by the Federation, and a recent visit by the International Cricket Council’s (IOC) Development Manager, William Glenwright, to understudy Nigeria’s growth plan was no fluke.
“We have some of the most dedicated workforce in sports development and some of the state posts a whooping 25, 000 kids’ in-take into the game yearly. We currently do 250, 000 and we have raised the stake to 500, 000 for the coming season.”
The PwC National Under-17 Championship has been one of the key events that has driven the grassroots effort of late; as most of the field officers see the platform as a place to showcase their regional engagement efforts. And according to Akpata: “In 2023, we had uLesson come on board our youth project, and many more corporates like Accessbank joined our Women’s T20i Invitational that had five countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone).
“Eko Disco, Intercontinental Hotel, Sparkle, and Alaro City have also seen value in our projects.
“In 2024, we are raising the stakes and as the ICC has also beamed the searchlight on our activities, the 2.5 billion audience of cricket is ours and our partners to leverage.”
He added that the Nigeria women’s team, currently ranked 30th in the world, and men’s 38th standing on the T20i table, adds to the country’s enviable profile as the new year beckons.
“Our men’s team is currently in Zimbabwe, heading to Namibia next week to begin a historic chase for the 2024 Cup ticket, and the ladies will do the same in a few weeks in December.”
He said the West Africa U-15 Championship, the 2024 Women’s T20i Invitational in March, the Men’s T20i Invitational, Nigeria Super League, national championships, Secondary Schools Challenge Cup, and the Nigeria Universities Cricket League are some of the projects the Federation will bring onboard next year.
“We are very focused and value-driven and will be looking forward to working with several brands on these,” he added.
