Nigerian Cricket Federation::...

PRESS RELEASE: NIGERIA CRICKET FEDERATION: REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2010 | (2011-01-31 )

The review period was one in which the NCF recorded several milestones. On the whole, the Federation achieved appreciable success.
The year commenced with the holding of an ICC-ACA Cricket Administrators Programme (CAP) on Community Cricket in Abuja. The programme was facilitated by Mr. Okon Ukpong, NCF board member and ACA Instructor.
Board Meeting was held in January to strategize for the year.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) implemented a Welfare Support Scheme for members of the Senior National team to further motivate them to perform maximally during tournaments. At present, five players are benefitting from the scheme. The recipients are: Endurance Ofem, Kunle Adegbola, Joshua Ogunlola, Saheed Akolade and Jide Bejide.

In March, 2010, the Nigeria Cricket Federation held a 2 day Cricket Administration Programme on “Community Cricket” &“ Effective Meeting”, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The programme was facilitated by Mr. Okon Ukpong, NCF board member and ACA Instructor. Participants were drawn from Lagos, Ogun, Ibadan, Kaduna, Ondo,
Kebbi and Sokoto States.

The Technical Committee of the Federation met on the 20th of March, 2010 to select a list of 26 players for trials preparatory to the tour of Ghana by the National team. However, the tour could not hold because of health issues at Achimota College, venue of the match.
The Federation, in line with its role of upgrading cricket facilities in the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Lagos on Perimeter Fencing of the Cricket Oval of the University.

The 1st Vice President of the Federation, Dr. Yahaya Okwenya represented the Federation at the ACA Executive Committee Meeting & ACA Development Meeting held in South Africa in April.

The 2nd Vice President represented the Federation at the ICC Conference held in June in Singapore.

In June, 2010 the maiden edition of the National Women Cricket Championship was held in Lagos.

The tournament, organized by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) had in attendance, Edo, Lagos, Imo and Ogun States. Lagos State emerged as Champions, Ogun was 1st Runner-Up, while Imo was 2nd Runner-Up. Given the historic nature of the event, participants were indeed excited that cricket for women debuted at the National level.

June 2010, the Federation held a Quarterly Media Briefing. The Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Okon Ukpong stood in for the President who was out of the country.

In preparation for the U-19 World Cup Regional Qualifier held in July in Swaziland, Nigeria's U-19 Cricket Team, in the last two weeks in June, went through physical fitness and mental conditioning exercises for strength, endurance and flexibility.

An ICC-ACA Cricket Administrators Programme (CAP) on Financial Management was held in June, 2010. The one-day course held in Lagos was facilitated
by Mr. Okon Ukpong, Chairman of the Technical Committee of NCF and assessed by Mr. Patrick Okeke, Secretary- General of NCF. The programme is designed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to improve the practical skills of Cricket Administrators.

A Full Council /AGM of the Federation was held in September , 2010 at the FCT, Abuja.

The meeting was chaired by the NCF President, Mr. Kwesi Sagoe, attended by Board members, delegates from Cricket playing States and some observers.

Activity reports and programmes from various states, detailing their achievements and challenges were discussed. In compliance with the directive of ICC to all Associate countries to appoint a Chief Operating Officer, the Board of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), appointed Mr. George Wiltshire as the General Manager/COO designate of the Federation.

Nigeria U19 emerged tops in Africa Division 2 in Swaziland by defeating Gambia, Rwanda, hosts, Swaziland and Mozambique to qualify for the final round of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ).

The U19 cricket team that campaigned for honours at the U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers (CWCQ) Africa Division 1, held in Namibia, retained its position in Division 1 at the end of the tournament.

During the period, the Federation organized a moderate reception for the U 19 team for putting up a good performance for emerging winners of Africa Division 2 and retaining a position in Africa Division 1.

In July 2010, the 2nd Schools Cricket Development Festival was hosted by Cricket Club Abuja.

The schools development festivals are an initiative by Cricket Club Abuja with the support of the Nigerian Cricket Federation to introduce and sustain cricket in government secondary schools in the Federal Captial Territory and beyond. The first programme held in December 2009 saw 80 children from four FCT schools participate. The latest event attracted nearly twice the number of participants.

The President of the NCF, Mr. Kwesi Sagoe, led a Nigerian delegation to Accra for the burial of late Prince Vanderpuye-Orgle, the former Chairman of Ghana Cricket Association.

The delegation comprised a former Chairman of the Nigeria Cricket Association (NCA) and West Africa Cricket Conference (WACC), Mr. Olayinka Fisher, the current 2nd Vice-President of the NCF, Mr. Soki Dakoru, and a former Board member of the NCA, Mr. Bob Osaghae.

The General Manager/COO of NCF, Mr. George Wiltshire, in October, attended an ICC- Africa CEO Conference on Leadership/Corporate Governance in South Africa.

In ushering in the 2010/2011 Cricket Season, a Cricket Season's Opening match was held in Lagos in October. The National Champions, Ibeju Lekki CC defeated a Club Cricket Committee (CCC) selected side.

In preparation for the U-15 ICC-ACA North-West Africa Tournament held in Nigeria from December 11-14, 2010, the Nigeria Cricket Federation selected 16 players for close camp in Ibadan, Oyo State. A National trial/screening of the U-15 players for the tournament took place in Lagos between 28th-31st of October, 2010.

The Federation, in October, organized an ICC-ACA Level 2 Coaching Course in Lagos for its cricket coaches selected from different parts of the country.

In November, the Federation organized an ACA-ICC 2010 All Rounder Academy in Lagos. The four-day programme was attended by cricketers from Cameroon, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Morocco and host country Nigeria.

Nigeria organized an ICC-ACA North West Africa U15 Boys Cricket Tournament in Ibadan, Oyo State from December 11-14, 2010. Sierra Leone emerged the winner of the tournament. Ghana came 2nd, followed by Nigeria in the 3rd position. The 4th position was occupied by Cameroon; in the 5th position was Gambia, while Morocco occupied the 6th position.

As part of efforts to expand the grass root base for the game, the Federation, in line with the development programme of the International Cricket Council and African Cricket Association, organized Cricket Introductory Courses in four states spread across the country.

The States are: Cross River, Rivers, Kebbi and Enugu states. The course, which was coordinated by Nigeria's international, Endurance Ofem, was indeed another success in trying to expand the grass root development drive within the country.

GEORGE WILTSHIRE
GM/COO
25/1/2011