Bashir Opaluwa Idris
Government and well to do individuals have been called upon to contribute to the development of the game of Cricket.
North Central Zonal Representative on the board of the Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF), Mr. Oludare Aimola made the call at the third edition of an annual Cricket Coaching Clinic in Government Science Secondary School, Ogori-Magongo.
Mr. Aimola said the coaching clinic was in line with the mandate and passion of the board of the NCF to develope cricket at the grassroots.
He noted that the game of Cricket which is now popular in the world and some parts of Nigeria needs to be taught at school level to encourage participation.
According to him, the coaching clinic is targeted at building the game at school level and aiding grassroots Cricket Development in the state.
Mr. Aimola added that the game which is now the second most popular and richest sport in the world, has a way of exercising the body without going to the gym as well as entertaining to play.
He stressed that the two-day programme which consists of both theory & practical sessions will further boost and take the game of cricket to a higher level in the Area.
He urged the participants to keep up the game of Cricket and show interest in it.
Mr. Aimola appealed to government at all levels to do more in encouraging sports by providing facilities.
According to Mr. Aimola, part of the deliverables from the annual coaching Clinic include Cricket talents that have been discovered in the state within the short period and this has produced a player presently in the U-19 National Cricket camp.
He concluded that the Aims and Objectives of having the annual Cricket Coaching Clinics was to empower the youths through sports development to enable them fulfill their dreams.
Responding on behalf of the participants, the games master of Government Science Secondary School, Ogori, Mr. Raji Monday and his counterpart from Magongo Community Secondary School, Mr. Falode Yinka were elated due to the knowledge gained, assured that the Area will produce good cricketers in the nearest future.
Government Science Secondary School, Ogori, Lumen Christi Academy, Magongo, UBE JSS Akpafa, MCSS Magongo, UBE JSS RCM Magongo amongst others participated with their games masters.
Highlight of the occasion was the distribution of cricket practice materials to the schools for further training.
