The Nigeria Cricket Federation says its aim of organising Students’ Clinic is to discover budding talents for the sports in the South East.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the three-day clinic, which was organised by NCF in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers had eight secondary schools in Enugu State that participated.
The Federation Regional Development Officer (South East), Charles Obasi, told NAN on Sunday in Enugu that the clinic and other events would popularise the sports in schools in Enugu and the region.
Obasi said that the clinic also covered a training session for school instructors as well as physical education teachers from the participating schools.
He said that training of schools’ instructors was designed to assist the teachers to continue coaching the students after the clinic.
The coordinator said that the Federation would provide soft balls and bat shapes for the school to continue training the students after the clinic.
Obasi said: “We would also partner with the state’s sports ministry to send cricket coaches to the schools to monitor their development.
“The Federation is looking beyond today to a future where great cricket giants will be coming from this part of the country especially, from Enugu State.
“NCF strongly believes that cricket will soon be a huge money spinner in the country with a strong national league, just as it is in South Africa, India and Australia today.
“Those who play cricket will be highest sports earning men and women very soon.’’
According to him, the Federation will be organising secondary schools’ cricket competition in late January in Enugu.
He said: “The competition is to further showcase the cricket to the fans and public.”
Meanwhile, NCF National Development Manager (South), Tonye Timinadi, said that the level of commitment displayed by the participants was a demonstration to learn more about cricket.
Timinadi said: “With the excitement in them; as an instructor, I see great cricketers in the making. The future is bright for them with their present attitude to the game.
“I will be coming back to Enugu State in few weeks to see how the budding cricketers and their instructors are faring in their various schools.”
Rev. Fr. Chijioke Ede, Principal, St. Patrick College, Emene-Enugu, said that the school was elated to host the clinic.
Ede said that hosting of the event gave the school an opportunity to embrace the game of cricket.
He said: “Self-development does not come from reading or academics alone but a student can develop a talent in sports, especially cricket and he gets livelihood, fame and money from it as well.
“So, it is a welcome development.”
One of the participating students, Maryanna Uka from Anglican Girls Grammar School, Akwananaw, Enugu, said that she had learnt how to obey the umpire and play according to instruction.
Another participant, Obinna Ezema from Good Shepherd Anglican Seminary School, Independent Layout, Enugu, said that he had learnt that the game of cricket could make one a disciplined person and physically fit.
The theme of the three-day clinic was: “NCF 9ja Kids Mass Participation in Cricket in Enugu State’’.
The clinic which commenced on November 16 ended on November 18.
Cricket Clinic targeted at discovering talents in South East – NCF official
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