Sports
Onyeama Sets Sights on NCF Board, Rolls Out Seven-Point Cricket Development Plan
By Joel Ajayi
As the build-up to Saturday’s Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) elections intensifies, former NCF President and current chairman of the FCT Cricket Association, Emeka Onyeama, has outlined a seven-point agenda he believes will transform cricket in the country.
Onyeama, who is seeking to return to the board as North Central representative, said his ambition is not driven by titles but by a desire to contribute meaningfully to the sport’s growth. “I can’t help the game if I’m outside. I need to be on the board to effect change, and that’s what I’m working toward,” he stated.
His agenda focuses on grassroots expansion, modernization of cricket governance, and long-term sustainability. The seven points include: Grassroots Revolution through partnerships with tertiary institutions.Nationwide Infrastructure Development, especially on university campuses.Technology Integration in cricket operations and outreach.Strategic Media Partnerships to broaden exposure.Transparency in Governance and decision-making.Inclusivity across regions, gender, and age groups. Sustainability through private sector engagement and long-term planning.
Onyeama emphasized that true development goes beyond elite competitions, noting that universities and schools must be central to Nigeria’s cricket future. “One of my priorities is to extend cricket into universities because we need more undergraduates involved,” he said.
He described media and digital platforms as critical drivers of growth, calling for stronger presence on TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and live streaming of games. “Media is not just a partner — it is an integral shareholder in the sports business,” Onyeama stressed.
On governance, he urged Nigerian federations to adopt corporate models similar to the International Cricket Council (ICC), where accountability, structured programmes, and local development statistics determine global support. “Sports in Nigeria cannot remain informal. We must publish annual programmes, structure activities, and channel funds into building the game locally, not endless foreign trips,” he argued.
According to Onyeama, Nigeria must prioritize players, grassroots infrastructure, and media synergy to attract investment, grow audiences, and make cricket commercially viable. He added that sports leadership should not be treated as a retirement plan for civil servants but as a serious business requiring resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“My agenda is clear: strengthen grassroots cricket, deepen media collaboration, drive infrastructure, and make Nigerian sports vibrant, profitable, and globally competitive,” Onyeama concluded.
Sports
Nigeria Targets Grassroots Sports Revival as Tinubu’s Aide Adeboye Unveils National Sports Grassroots Summit
Joel Ajayi
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Grassroots Sports Development, Adeboye Adeyinka, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of grassroots sports development in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to prioritise youth empowerment, education and national development alongside medals and trophies.
Adeyinka stated this on Thursday in Abuja during a press conference while announcing the 2026 National Grassroots Sports Summit, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The summit, with the theme, “Creating a New Pathway for Sustainable Grassroots Sports Development,” is expected to bring together government officials, sports administrators, state and local government representatives, private-sector investors, development partners, coaches, athletes and other stakeholders.
The presidential aide stressed that sports development must be measured not only by international achievements but also by the number of young Nigerians whose lives are positively transformed through participation in sports.
He noted that while sporting excellence could lead some athletes to Olympic medals and World Cup glory, sports also offered millions of young people opportunities for education, personal development, employment and social inclusion.
“Sometimes, when we discuss sports development, we speak about stadiums, trophies, medals and international competitions.
“But I want us to remember that at the heart of every sporting achievement is a human being,” Adeyinka said.
He explained that participation in sports could help young Nigerians secure university scholarships, develop discipline, build confidence, acquire life skills and stay away from negative influences.
According to him, sports should be recognised as an important instrument for building character, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for young people, irrespective of their backgrounds.
On talent identification, Adeyinka expressed concern that Nigeria continues to lose potential sporting talents because many children lack access to adequate facilities, qualified coaches, encouragement and organised talent-discovery programmes.
He emphasised the need for an inclusive grassroots sports system that would provide equal opportunities for children in rural communities, public schools, underserved areas and different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The presidential aide maintained that a child’s sporting prospects should not be determined by geographical location, family background or connections to influential individuals.
He warned that without a coordinated approach to identifying and nurturing young talents, the country could continue to miss opportunities to discover future champions.
Adeyinka said the forthcoming summit was designed to develop a sustainable national framework for identifying, nurturing and supporting sporting talents across the 774 local government areas.
He added that the gathering would seek practical solutions to the challenges affecting grassroots sports administration rather than focus solely on speeches and ceremonial activities.
A major objective, he explained, was to move away from fragmented talent-discovery initiatives towards a coordinated national structure connecting school and community competitions with clubs, national competitions and international sporting opportunities.
The two-day summit will deliberate on five key areas: sports participation, talent development, infrastructure, the sports economy and international pathways.
Adeyinka expressed optimism that the recommendations from the summit would provide a roadmap for strengthening grassroots sports development, expanding youth participation and positioning sports as a viable contributor to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
He called on relevant stakeholders to support the initiative and work collectively towards building a sustainable grassroots sports system capable of identifying and developing talents across the country.
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