ICC Scores Nigeria Cricket Federation High

By Sylvanus Ofekun

The International Cricket Council (ICC) says it is impressed with the strides put in place by the current board of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) during it’s two years leadership.

Andy Hobbs, ICC Senior Manager, Developing Services, said this on Monday in Abuja during an interactive session with the media while undergoing a one-week ICC 360 Review Tour to Nigeria.

Hobbs, who was in company of some ICC officials, said the review was not an assessment of what had been in the past or funds spent but to proffer recommendations on the growth of the sport in the country.

” I think the board is doing a tremendous job and the qualification of the U-19 male national team was the icing on the cake.

“The developmental programme award bestowed on the board by ICC earlier in the year reflects the growth of the game and we are willing to support that.

“The review is concerned about how cricket can grow in the country, become a big sport and take on football.“So, we are here to hear from different people, to see how we can work together to take the sport to another level,” Hobbs added.

Speaking at the event, the President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, NCF, Prof. Yahaya Ukwanya said his board was able to take the game to a higher level since taking over two years ago. He said apart from developing a constitution for the federation, his board had been able to improve facilities nationwide while also taking the game to the doorstep of all Nigerians.

“We are doing team building from the U19 to the senior levels, bringing in new philosophies that have translated into improved outings in international competitions,” he stressed.

Permanent Secretary  in the Ministry of Sports Mr. Olushade Adeshola noted that visit shows that Nigeria in now force in the world of Cricket.