Chika Okoro, an ex-Cricket International who saved Ebonyi State from paying the 2018 National Sports Festival non-participation fine of N10 million, has revealed the reasons for his actions.
The Ebonyi State Government declared that it will not send a contingent to the festival held in Abuja, which ordinarily attracts N10 million non-participation fine.
Okoro, the South East representative on the Nigerian Cricket Federation Board however sponsored the state’s cricket team to the festival, thereby delisting the state from non participants at the festival.
The sports administrator noted that he took such action to save the state from paying the fine and provide the athletes the opportunity of showcasing their talents.
He said: “The cricket players had been in camp for more than five weeks prior to the festival’s commencement and I had sponsored their stay in camp.
“When the government declared that the state will not participate in the festival, I felt uncomfortable that they would not have the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“I also felt that paying such huge fine would be undesirable to the state.
“So I sponsored the team in its entire stay in Abuja for the festival.
“Such action has already yielded fruit as four of the players are presently in the national U-19 camp preparing for a continental outing in Gambia.”
Okoro noted that he was not seeking the government’s recognition for his action but was motivated due to his love for the sport and its development in the state and the entire south east zone.
He said: “Nobody from the government has called to appreciate my actions but that is no problem because I am not seeking for recognition.
“I decided to champion the growth of cricket in the zone by promoting it in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
“It is only when people appreciate and understand the game early that they can play it better and ensure its growth.”
Okoro noted that his sojourn in cricket and other sports dates back to 1979 during his days at the Government College, Afikpo, where he rose to become the school’s captain.
He said: “I represented the school in the old Imo in cricket and rose to represent Nigeria in several international events.
“I benefited from playing cricket and I am giving back to the sport through donation of kits such as balls, bats, concrete floor, nets, polls, lighting-equipment, among others.”