by The Ajasa News | June 18, 2019 4:01 am
By Martin Odiete
The International Cricket Council, ICC has expressed great hope in Nigeria cricket catching up with the likes of South Africa, Zimbabwe and other giants of Africa cricket playing Nations but said that the country must first put the structures in place.
ICC senior manager, development services, Andy Hobbs disclosed while speaking with the media at the Abuja National stadium during an interactive section with members of the Nigeria media on Monday.
Andy Hobbs is the leader of the ICC team that is in country for a 360 review of cricket activities in Nigeria. He noted that with the huge population Nigeria has, she has every potential to be a great cricket playing Nation, but however stated that the Nigeria cricket Federation must have to ensure increase participation of the grassroot in the game of cricket.
“I think the potential in Nigeria is limitless. The population is huge and I think the important thing is to get the grassroot players to increase their part5icipation base, increase the facilities, to popularize the game. And if that can happen within a number of years, who knows where Nigeria can get at the world stage.
“You have already got the U-19 playing at the world cup and playing in the top 16 countries in the world and I think the National team is ranked 30 to 35 and with a little better support I think they can make up grounds fast.”
The ICC top official also explained how the Nigeria Cricket Federation can increase the funding they get from ICC noting that the international body has an annual twenty seven million dollars, $27 million investment fund set aside for the development of cricket outside the traditional cricket playing nations.
“In terms of the investment from ICC that is driven by performance, on the pitch and off the pitch the better the increased funding they would get. The more people play cricket the more coaches, the more empires, the more facilities and the more supports they get commercially the increased funding the will get from ICC”, he said. *”,”ht�-w �
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