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Benin City Agog As National Men’s Cricket Championship Commences Monday

Published

5 years ago

March 22, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Eight teams will be on parade from today’s Monday, March 22nd to 31st,, 2021 when the Umpire calls play for the National Cricket Men’s Championship at the Edo Boys High School, Cricket High Performance Center in Benin City, Edo State.

In a statement issued by the Public Relation officer PRO of NCF Musa Ehizoje Bodie said Yahaya, Ukwenya, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation said the 10-day Championship is a key event on the Federation’s Calendar given the weight of international commitments that the country is committed to later in the year.

“The National Men’s Championship for us, is the first on the list of activities that will form the molding of a stronger national team both for the Under 19 and more importantly the Senior Men’s team.

“We have three World Cup tickets to vie for later in the year, hoping that the Covid-19 Pandemic’s tide will continually be stemmed as it is presently being done now. The Under 19 World Cup, The Senior Men’s T-20 World and the Women’s World Cup Qualifier. “ He said.

Nigeria would be hosting two of the World Cup Qualifiers in October and November and Ukwenya believes the National Men’s Championship will serve as a key preparatory event for the challenges ahead.

Lagos, Edo, Anambra and Kwara are drawn in the Pool A that will open the championship tomorrow. The second group, Pool B has Kaduna, Rivers, Delta and Oyo slugging it out.

Endurance Ofem, who is player’s representative on the board of the Nigeria Cricket Federation doubles as the tournament coordinator corroborates Ukwenya’s assertions that the event will be the first test for any player willing to pick a shirt in the national team later in the year.

“This event is very crucial to future engagements both locally and internationally. We have provided the best condition for the top teams to thrive and we believe the venue too will help us better in allowing the players express their latent talents as well.”

The National Coach, Sri-Lankan Asanka Gurusinha will be on hand with his Nigerian assistants to watch the event and perhaps extend trial invites to deserving players for the national team he’s been building

The first ball will be bowled at 9:30 am in a promising tie between seeded Lagos and hard-fighting Anambra while the second Match of the opening day will feature host state Edo locking horns with Kwara State by 1:30pm

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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.

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