Sports
Hostility Begins in Abuja as Nigeria, Botswana 4 Others Compete for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifying Slots
…Players Talk Tough as Competition Heats Up
By Joel Ajayi
The battle for two coveted tickets to the final round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifiers is set to commence in Abuja, as six countries—Nigeria, Eswatini, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and St. Helena—face off in the Sub-Regional Qualifier C.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C, scheduled from November 23rd to 28th, will feature 15 thrilling matches at the twin ovals of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Nigeria’s capital city.
Players from the participating teams have expressed confidence and determination to secure one of the available slots for the regional finals, which will include previously qualified teams such as Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi.
Speaking at a world press conference on Friday in Abuja, ICC Tournament Director Martins Ondeku emphasized the significance of the event, describing it as both competitive and historic. He stated:
“This is going to be a wonderful and highly competitive tournament. It is the last Africa sub-regional qualifier, where the top two teams will advance to the regional final to face already qualified nations like Uganda, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi next year.”
Ondeku further revealed that the host nation for the final qualifiers would be announced on Monday. He also commended the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for providing a conducive environment for the tournament.
Nigeria’s team captain, Sylvester Okpe, expressed optimism about his team’s chances: “We are very optimistic as a team because we have prepared extensively. With our participation in tournaments such as the All-Africa Games and our recent tour in Kenya, we are positive. All we need is to stay focused and play our best cricket to achieve the best results.”
Sierra Leone captain Lansanah Lawin echoed a similar sentiment: “Our goal as a team is to secure one of the tickets.”
Eswatini captain Adil Butt, meanwhile, made his team’s intentions clear: “We are not here in Nigeria to just participate—we are here to win. Our target is to emerge victorious. It’s going to be a great tournament for us.”
NCF President Uyi Akpata highlighted Nigeria’s growing capacity to host international cricket events, noting that the tournament would serve as a testament to the nation’s preparedness and infrastructure.
Currently, the Nigerian Men’s Cricket Team is ranked 36th in the T20 global rankings, making them the highest-ranked team in this sub-regional qualifier.
Sports
NSC DG Bukola Olopade reaffirms the commitment of the Commission to Training and Retraining of Staff for Scientific Productivity
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Sports Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade, has stated the commitment of the leadership of the Commission to Training and Retraining of staff for scientific productivity of Nigerian Sports.
The DG stated this when he was a surprised guest at the meeting of the newly appointed Federation Secretaries with the Director of the Federation of Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Olumide Bamiduro.
” One of the things that myself and the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, discovered was lacking in the Commission when we were appointed is training and restraining of staff. This is why we have challenged the various Directors to go to their various departments to start looking for quality brains that we can give both local and international training and restraining to”.
” The Sports ecosystem that we are in is very dynamic and this is why alot of training and retraining will happen this year to complement the productivity and efficiency of the Commission”.
The DG also charged the Federation Secretaries to be up and doing and align themselves with the vision and mandate of the Commission especially with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy ( RHINSE ) campaign.
” As Federation Secretaries that you all are , we are about to make history together in so many ways. For the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko and myself, our determination is to ensure that you all are given the impetus to drive the federations as Independently as you can”.
” I also want to appeal to you all that the chief operating officers,COO, that we have introduced are not here to disturb you or usurp your job. They are here to support you and I have no doubt that the symbiotic relationship that you can establish with them will only galvanize the history making approach we all have for the Commission”.
The Director of Federation of Elite Athletes Development (FEAD) , Olumide Bamiduro however thanked the DG for the surprise visit , stating that his visit further re-echoes the ongoing reforms and the commitment of the current leadership of the Sports Commission to achieve the Sporting mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,GCFR.
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