Sports

NCF Launches Accelerated Growth Program For 200,000 NewKids In Nigeria

Published

5 years ago

May 27, 2021

Joel Ajayi

As part of its ongoing effort to ensure the growth of Cricket sport in the country, the Nigeria cricket federation on Thursday successfully launched Accelerated Growth Program that will help over 200,000 new kids into sport annually.

The Accelerated Growth Program is a grassroots initiative by the Nigeria Cricket Federation that seeks to introduce around 200,000 new kids into the sports annually.

Also, the 36 states of the Federation including the FCT will benefit from the program as field officers have been employed to run the program beginning with states that are least developed in Cricket.

Speaking at official launching in Abuja the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Federation Prof. Yahaya Ukwenya expressed delight for the program which is one of the key 5 imperatives of the development plan engaged upon by the Federation.

According to him, the aim of the program is to accelerate the growth of Cricket in Nigeria at a faster pace than it has been done in the past and also taking into context the population of the country.

“The purpose is to see more children get into the sport, in so doing; they will imbibe some of the principles of the game which you can also call Spirit of Cricket which i believe is good for their development. It is important to understand that a child actively involved in sports is not likely to get into anti-social and criminal activities.” He said.

However, a total of 14 schools (Private and Government) in Abuja and Niger State participated in the Launch with a total of 155 students registered both boys and girls. Plastic starter pack equipment was delivered to the schools present with that exercise expected to be replicated across the country.

It will be recall that the Federation procured over 1,000 sets of beginners’ equipment during the first quarter of the year to aid this program. A new technology called the Geographic Information System (GIS) will also be deployed by the field officers to provide real time information that will enable the Federation track the spread and use of the equipment across the country.

Representing the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Ademu Ajayi, Deputy Director in the Federation Elite Athletes Department (FEAD) of the Ministry, heaped praised on the Federation for their continuous desire to develop the game in the country, recognizing Cricket as the best in development and administration among other sports in the Ministry.

He further pledged on behalf of the Ministry that Cricket will continue to enjoy the support of the Mother body for all her activities.

The final activity of the Launching ceremony was the demonstration of the basic Batting, Bowling and Fielding techniques demonstrated to the students by the National Women’s Team

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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