Featured

Nigeria Cricket Federation Hires Foreign Coach Set To Unveil In December

Published

5 years ago

November 30, 2020

JOEL AJAYI

The Nigeria Cricket Federation is pleased to inform all stakeholders, players, fans, and the general public that a new head coach has been hired and will resume officially on the 1st of December 2020.

Over the last 3 years, the Nigeria Cricket Federation has experienced tremendous growth and development in all areas of the sport. There are five (5) Key strategic development pillars for which this present administration believed would lead to sustained growth and development of the sport in the country and one of those pillars is to “Improve the quality of our players and officials at all levels through regular local and international competitions and development events.”

The successes recorded in the last 3 years have seen our national teams play at the highest level in world Cricket with our famous participation at the ICC Under-19 world cup 2020 in South Africa, senior men’s Twennty20 world cup qualifier 2019 in the UAE, and the national women’s team world cup qualifier in Zimbabwe also in 2019.

In a bid to continuously improve and maintain the standard of our national team’s performance at the elite level, the Federation has taken a bold step by hiring the services of a foreign coach of international repute and qualification with a proven track record at the highest level. This decision became imperative as Nigeria looks to compete at more international tournaments in the near future and also improve her performance in world Cricket rankings.

Brief Profile:

Asanka Gurusinha (born 16th September 1966) is a former Sri Lankan Australian Cricketer who had an 11-year international career, playing 41 Tests and 147 One Day Internationals for Sri Lanka. A specialist left-handed batsman and a key member for the 1996 Cricket World Cup-winning team for Sri Lanka, scoring 65 runs in the finals against Australia. He is a Level 3 certified coach and was appointed as the Cricket Manager for the Sri Lanka national team in 2017. He has also served in the capacity as the Consultant Regional Coach for Cricket Australia.

The new coach is expected to head the high-performance unit of the Federation and also act as a coach trainer and mentor to our indigenous coaches.

Reacting to the Appointment, the President of the Federation Prof. Yahaya Adam Ukwenya described the move as timely and purpose-driven and one that has enjoyed the support of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare.

“The appointment of Asanka marks another milestone in this administration’s desire to raise the standard of the game in the country both at the elite and development level. Internally, his appointment will greatly impact on our development structure as we look to begin our Accelerated Growth Program. On the big stage, Nigeria can no longer take a passing interest in World Cricket, we should be able to compete at all levels we play and not just make up the numbers” He said.

The official unveiling of the head coach is scheduled to take place on the 8th of December 2020 at the VIP Lounge, National Stadium Package A, Abuja. Officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD), Officials of the Federation, Media, Players, and more are expected to attend.

Share on Facebook

Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

Share on Facebook