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ROCKS CC WINS EDL CRICKET TOURNEY | (2008-04-21 )
Rocks Cricket Club of Abeokuta, on Sunday, April 20, 2008, at the mecca of cricket in Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, Lagos, won the coveted EDL Knockout Cricket Tournament. The boys from Olumo city defeated Ibeju Lekki CC by 3 wickets to secure victory.
Ibeju Lekki batted first scoring 81 runs all out in 34 overs. It took the tight bowling of Ogunlola. J (3 for 11 in 8 overs), Adegbola. Y (2 for 8 in 4 overs) and Adegbola. K (2 for 14 in 5 overs) to do the damage.
The large crowd crowd at the TBS expected a big scoring match but were surprised to see promising Ibeju Lekki struggling from ball one to manage to put up 81 runs.
However, what seemed to be a low total to achieve in an hour plus became tough for Rocks as the Ibeju Lekki boys did not go down without a fight. Rocks at the end lost 7 wickets chasing 81 runs.
Ogunlola .J of Rocks was declared Man of the Match for his outstanding bowling of 3 for 11 in 8 overs and contribution of 17 runs with the bat.
Batsman of the series award was won by Okwudili.E of Howzat Pioneers. Salako A of Rocks took away the Bowler of the series while Olabiwonu. K(Rocks) went away with the Fieldsman of the series award. Other recipients were Olayinka .S (Rocks) who took away the Wicket Keeper of the series. The Cricketer of the Series was won by Okwudili. E (Pioneers) who went away with the sum of $2,000..00, courtesy of the sole Sponsor, Express Discount Limited.
Five distinguished veterans were awarded with the Lagos Cricket Merit Award for their contribution to the development of cricket in Lagos. Francis Karienren and Sam Ahuchogu of blessed memory were honoured posthumously. Other recipients were Kwesi Sagoe, present President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Dr. John Abebe, immediate past President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation and Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State Government.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Lagos State, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele commended the organisers and sole sponsor of the tournament for successfully hosting the 7th edition. He said that the his Ministry has been able to introduce a policy in Schools whereby all schools are required to participate in various sporting activities, including cricket.
The Managing Director/CEO, Express Discount Limited, Kwesi Sagoe, in hs address, said that "it’s already seven years since we at Express Discount Limited (EDL) decided to show our support for cricket as part of our corporate social responsibility by sponsoring this Lagos Knockout Tournament. We joined the select group of corporates like Image Technologies Limited, Iris Smart Technologies Limited, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank Plc, Vitamalt and more recently GT Assurance and BGL Limited who have decided to develop a brand equity for the game by supporting one tournament or the other". He commended the spirit of co-operation among the Club Cricket Committee (CCC), the LSCA and the NCF in working together to share resources and promote the beautiful game and hope that together they will succeed in their endeavour to uplift the game.
The Chairman of the Lagos Stae Cricket Association, George Wiltshire ,remarked that
the collaboration in developing cricket between the Lagos State Cricket Association and the sole sponsor of the tournament, Express Discount Limited (EDL) has indeed continued to grow as the EDL Knockout Tourney has become a major one that cricket enthusiasts look forward to every season. He expressed his appreciation to the Management and Staff of Express Discount Limited for their sustained financial support.
The roll call of dignitatries include: Prof. Olu Akinyanju, veteran cricketer, Olayinka Fisher, MD, Iris Smart Technologies, Macaulay Iyayi, Director First Inland Bank Plc, Mrs Grace Asagba, Director of Sports, Lagos Stae Sports Council, Bisi Onasanya, Managing Director, First Pension Custodian, Tosin Runsewe, CEO of Guaranty Trust Assurance, Prof. Tunde Makanjuola of Unilag, Henry Abebe, ED (NIMASA), Dr. (Mrs. Ahuchogu), Kunle Jinadu, COO, First Pension Custodian, Chuma Anosike, Board Member NCF,James Efekodo, Principal, Whitesands School, Dipo Idowu, Chairman, Ogun State Cricket Federation. Others are, Lanre Alabi, Corporate Affairs, Afribank, Prince Bayo Balogun, Chairman, Ibeju Lekki, Group Captain Gab Esho (Rtd.), Ade Abisogun, Dayo Wright, Akintunde Simplice, Tayo Bright and a host of others.
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