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LAGOS STATE CRICKET ASSOCIATION MARKS ICC CENTENARY CELEBRATION WITH SEMINAR | (2009-07-30 )

 IT was a constellation of Nigerian cricket stars, both past and present at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos last weekend when the Lagos State Cricket Association organised a seminar for coaches and umpires as it joined in the global celebrations marking the ICC Centenary anniversary.
 Leading the personalities at the event was the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Kwesi Sagoe who was on hand to declare the event open. NCF board member, Okon Ukpong, chairman of the Ogun State Cricket Association, Dipo Idowu, former Nigerian international, Dr Jide Adedeji were part of the dignitaries that graced the occassion. Forty eight coaches and umpires who attended the seminar were drawn from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States.
 In his welcome address, chief host and chairman of the Lagos State Cricket Association, George Wiltshire express delight in organising the event which to him was like a celebration of 100 years of cricket in Lagos nay Nigeria. The Lagos State cricket boss noted with pride the strides cricket has taken globally in recent years and acknowledged the efforts of the Nigeria Cricket Federation in ensuring that the country benefitted from what is evolving in the international arena.
 He seized the opportunity to review the activities of his association in the last season and the successes of Lagos state teams in national competitions and tournaments.
 Harping on the day's event, Wiltshire reminded participants that the knowledge they would get at the end of the seminar would help them in the coming season as the state is aiming for the best.
 He commended the state sports council, organisations involved in the teaching and promotion of the sport, particularly, the Howzat Foundation for Cricket, Ibeju Lekki Local Government, other individuals and corporate bodies that have contributed to the development of the sport in the state.
 He also informed that the cricket association was ready for the coming season which would be heralded with the GTA Twenty 20 tournament. In his opening remarks, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Kwesi Sagoe said that he was happy that the LSCA initiated such a programme in commemoration of the ICC Centenary celebrations. Sagoe charged other state associations to emulate the Lagos initiative and assured them of NCF support as they strive to develop the sport in their various states.
 He noted that cricket has recorded significant progress in three years of his stewardship and promised not to rest on their oars as the federation is out to ensure Nigeria improves in her present 39th position in the ICC ODI global ranking and 6th in Africa.
 Just before the seminar proper commenced, the chairman of the Lagos Club Cricket Committee, Babatunde Akinleye presented a keynote address :One Hundred Years of Cricket; Expectations from Nigeria.He made an attempt at tracing the history of cricket and its development in over three centuries.
 OVERVIEW: + No one is sure of when cricket started; + Rules have exixted since time immemorial but were first codified in 1774 and then modified in the same year, 1774; + MCC was founded in 1787 at Lord's and became custodian of the Laws; + ICC was founded on 15th June, 1909; + Nigeria is an Associate member. + Ultimate status is to attain test status to become a full member.
 WAY FORWARD:
 Develop discipline in cricketers, especially at the formative stages of primary and secondary schools. Provide mentoring opportunities for young cricketers Provide economic opportunities to support cricket through merchandising; Propagate a positive image for Nigeria; Improve the quality of the game in Nigeria; Continuous improvement of Nigeria in international ranking, culminating in the achievement of a full ICC Membership status in the next decade. Two papers were presented at the seminar. The first, The Role of Cricket Umpires in the 21st Century was presented by ICC certificated Umpire, Roland Ilube, while Coach Ewa Henshaw presented the second paper on Teaching the Gentleman's Game.
 COMMUNIQUE AT THE END OF THE ONE ONE DAY COACHES AND UMPIRE'S SEMINAR
 At the end of the seminar for coaches and umpires organised by the Lagos State Cricket Association in commemoration of the ICC Centenary celebrations, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, the participants agreed to the following: 1. That Nigerian cricket has in the last three years recorded significant improvement both in quality of play and administration, but more is still desired to be done to improve in world ranking. 2. That the way forward is for the country to go professional so as to give young cricketers in the country hope to pursue careers in the sport, develop the sport from the grassroots and make teams more competitions and tournaments. This way Nigeria can build on progress made so far. 3. That the rapid transformation of the sport coupled with modern technology and television coverage has put so much pressure on umpires to get things done properly. This has influenced
 officiating. 4.Also, the transformation of cricket into a multi-million Dollar industry affects the intensity of competition and officiating, thereby putting the umpire's authority under constant questioning. Various versions of the game with various laws demand a lot from umpires. 5.The spirit of the game says you must respect umpire's decisions. But an umpire worth his salt must earn this respect. 6. The Umpire must be incharge and take total control of the game. 7. The Umpire must absolutely understand the laws of the game. 8. Understand the facts before decisions are taken. Must take his time not to rush into any decision. When in doubt, the umpire must consult his onfield and squareleg umpires before taking critical decisions. 9.An umpire must ensure his records and that of the scorer's are in harmony. 10.The biggest asset in every cricket player is character, good
 temperament and selfcontrol. A good cricket player must not allow himself to be bothered by what his opponents or spectators say on the stands. 11. Players must not employ foul calls to sway officiation in their favour. 12. Discipline: Be obedient to leadership. Players must obey umpire's call as their reaction to umpire's decisions sends signals(rightly or wrongly) to the spectators. 13. In teaching the game, coaches must live by example and impart same to their wards. Coaches should tell the players to stand out no matter the situation.
 At the end of the event 48 coaches and umpires were awarded certificates of participation by the Lagos State Cricket Association.
 These include: Ayanusi Abayomi Wale Adekoya Dolapo Gafar Friday Udoh Femi Oduyebo Joseph Eshua Onome Ogghenekevwe Osita Onwuzulike Ademola Onikoyi Gbenga Odedele Ruth Ayonnaoki Rickson Teteh Frank Omozegele Clement Amonakhai Oboh Omoigui Newton Ikenwaso Chimeze Onwuzulike Gbenga Akinriola Garuba Haruna Taya Toloye Azeez Salako Austin Areghan Tamuno John Tayo Sowole Muritala Afolabi Sunday Adeleye Lekan Awolowo Oladayo Lawal Otegbeye Jide Hammed Sani Itua Edekharegbe Olugbon Olympio Oluseyi Olympio Bejide Jide Akolade Saheed Ogun Godian Musibau Ajayi Bayo Thompson Akin Denton Tunde Elliot Olayemi Amusa Garuba Oluwaseyi The 12 from Abeokuta were Seyi Sonde Anofiu Salako Baynes Toyosi Salako Seun Kehinde Olanbiwonnu Yemi Adegbola Taiwo Oladunjoye Femi
 Oguntoke Rotimi Adesanya Dimeji Oladunjoye Asisat Adegboyega Patience Onebamoih The LSCA plans to hold a one-day elite coaching course in August, 2009. George Wiltshire, Chairman, LSCA Kate Esho, Secretary, LSCA