ICC declares Nigeria as the fastest-growing Cricket Nation

ICC World Cup trophy in Lagos. Credit: Premium Times

ICC declares Nigeria as the fastest-growing Cricket Nation

Hassan Abdulsalam 07:12 - 31.08.2023

The trophy was on display at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos on Wednesday, following the first leg of the tour in Abuja on Tuesday.

Following the colorful reception for the Cricket World Cup trophy on Wednesday in Lagos, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) in making the country the fastest-growing cricket nation in the world.

Nigeria, along with South Africa and Uganda, has been chosen to participate in the trophy procession ahead of the ODI World Cup, which will be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

The trophy was on display at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos on Wednesday, following the first leg of the tour in Abuja on Tuesday.

General Manager of Development, ICC, William Glenwright, who was accompanied to Nigeria by the ICC Regional Development Manager in Africa, Patricia Kambarami, said Nigeria was a top priority in spreading the game.

ICC World Cup trophy Ignites Lagos people

“Nigeria is our fastest growing member around the world. We came to learn from the NCF to better understand what they are doing successfully and apply it elsewhere around the world so that other members can be equally successful as Nigeria,” Glenwright told The PUNCH.

“It’s also for us to better understand the ways the international federation can support Nigeria in their growth. They have great plans and we have a role to play.”

On his part, the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, said the board will not desist in its efforts to guarantee that the country benefits from its gaming development objective.

“With the grand entrance and the celebration that greeted the trophy here, imagine what will happen if we actually win the World Cup; a lot of my people say we will shut down Lagos.

“So, we are looking towards improvement in that direction. We are strategically placed as we continue discussions with Cricket South Africa in terms of players placement. It’s a pathway in terms of sustainable development. We have seen it, it’s just for us to walk our way through the path.”

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