…construction of Indoor Cricket Facilities is launched in Benin
Emotan Queens who remained unbeaten in the 2025 edition of the Edo State Female Cricket league were crowned Champions of the League on Sunday at the High Performance Centre, Edo Boys Hgh School, Ugbowo, Benin City.
The Final which was washed by rains at the 5th overs of batting by the Emotan Queens as they rallied for points, was decided by head to head advantage as the ground became unplayable after the downpour.
Emotan Queens had recorded 26 runs in the opening 5 overs, maintaining all wickets before the rains. The Tournament Organisers had to return to head to head advantage to decide the Winners, with Emotan Queens named winners having initially secured a 13 runs victory over Idia Royals in their first match of the Tournament.
Before the rains, Piety Lucky, the Captain of the Emotan Queens, who was an opening batter alongside Praise Onaghise recorded 21 runs while her partner Praise scored 5 runs.
Coach Osamudiamen Richard Ikponmwen who was very excited didn’t hide his joy. He also went on to share his teams little secret that eventually made the difference.
“I feel very excited, it’s a privilege to take the medals of this edition of the League, the other teams came hard on us but as God may have it, it came our way. Looking at the weather this season, we already foresaw a situation like today, that was why we took the round robin phase matches very seriously because we knew anything can happen.” He said
Skipper of the Emotan Queens Team who was named Player of the Tournament and officially recorded 3000 career runs during the finals was happy with her team’s victory and her personal award.
According to her, ” I feel very excited, definitely this award isn’t one gotten from personal efforts but from the support of every member of the Team. It’s good we were able to get these good and positive results from these games we have played.”
The Third Place Final Match which came earlier, didn’t end without it’s own drama and excitement as Adolor Amazons edged Ekpoma Supernova by 7 wickets in a 5 overs game to emerge Third Best Team in the Tournament. For the individual awards, we had:
1. Best Batter: Salome Sunday
2. Best Fielder: Agboya Peculiar
3. Best Bowler: Glory Idiahi
4. Best Behaved: Miracle Umukoro
5. MVP: Lucky Piety
Dignitaries from the Headquarters of Sports in Edo State, the Sports Commission as well as House of Assembly and the State Government House honoured the event.
From the Sports Commission, the Chairman of the Commission, Honourable Amadin Desmond Enabulele; the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Efe Amenze; the Executive Director Development and Operations, Mrs. Sabina Chiekere; the Edo State Football Association Chairman, Mr Fred Erhunwensee, etc.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Commissioner for Youth Development, Honourable Charity Amanyaevbo and the State House of Assembly member in charge of Sports, Honourable Donald Okukpe honoured the event, while Mr Uyi Akpata who doubles as the Chairman of the Edo State Cricket Association and the President of the Nigerian Cricket Federation was the Chief Host of the event.
As part of the agenda of the day, the construction of a new Indoor Cricket Facility was officiallly flagged off by Hon. Charity Amanyaevbo on behalf of the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Hon Charity lauded the Cricket Leadership for creating a project that promotes youth development through Sports and promised continued Government support. “This initiative is very special to our people, and we will continue to consolidate it for the progress of Edo youths,” he said.
Dr. Uyi Akpata spoke on the Tournament’s success, noted that Edo Players are now involved in National Teams. He revealed that the League has expanded from Four Teams with few Players at its inception to over 25 Players per Team this Year. He also highlighted the plans to expand the Teams in the next edition. “The growth of cricket in Edo has been phenomenal. Our players shine Nationally and Internationally, and this facility will strengthen that momentum,” he said.
Akpata also highlighted Nigeria’s National Cricket Team as the youngest in Africa, with an average age of 22, and noted Nigeria’s current Sixth-Place ranking in the Under-19 World Championship. He described the Indoor Facility as a fulfilled promise, vital for High- Performance Training, year-round development, and attracting Cricketers from across Africa, boosting Edo State’s Sports Tourism.
