The International Cricket Council Chair of Associates, Mubashshir Usmani, has praised the remarkable strides made by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) in developing the sport, particularly with the launch of the 9ja Kids Cricket Program.
Usmani expressed his admiration during a working visit to Lagos, where he was accompanied by federation presidents from Kenya, Sierra Leone, Botswana, and Rwanda. The NCF hosted the visiting leaders for a two-day meeting focused on advancing the growth and popularity of cricket across Africa.
The highlight of the visit was the official launch of the 9ja Kids Cricket Program, an initiative designed to promote and expand cricket at the grassroots level, with a particular focus on primary schools nationwide.
Speaking at the event, Usmani commended the NCF leadership for their unwavering commitment to growing cricket in Nigeria, noting that the initiative was funded independently without support from the international body.
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“When we mentioned such an initiative being undertaken by Nigerian cricket independently, it showed the commitment of the NCF leadership. It proves there are passionate individuals willing to support and develop the game. I really appreciate the tremendous work being done here,” Usmani told Bold Sports.
Thousands of pieces of equipment have been imported for the program and will be distributed across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones to ensure wide reach and impact.
NCF President Uyi Akpata also charged the national team players present at the launch to serve as ambassadors of the sport, promoting cricket wherever they go.
“There are six bags of equipment here today, with another eight on the way, and every year we plan to bring in more. You, as national team players, will serve as ambassadors for cricket across the country. Our goal is to see the sport grow from the grassroots level,” Akpata said.
Cricket in Nigeria gained significant attention earlier this year when the country’s U-20 women’s team, the Junior Female Yellow Greens, made headlines at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, narrowly missing out on a semifinal spot and showcasing the potential of Nigerian cricket on the global stage.
As part of the visit, Usmani and the other presidents toured the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval in Lagos. This facility received widespread acclaim for its quality and potential.
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