Government Secondary School, Afikpo wins 2nd edition of South East Secondary School Cricket Championship for Omezua Okoro Ezi Okoro Cup.
Five secondary schools from 4 states in south east Nigeria came together in the Coal City (Enugu), Enugu state, Nigeria to slug it out in the 2nd edition of the South East Secondary school Cricket Championship for Omezua Okoro Ezi Okoro Cup at Union Secondary School, Enugu, Enugu state. The championship which is sponsored by Well Energy Limited is aimed at developing young cricketers at the grassroots.
After four days round-robin format play and a total of 10 matches, Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, Anambra state and Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi state came out tops, thus proceeded to the finals.
In the finals, Bishop Crowther Seminary batted first in the 15 overs encounter, ( after the match was shortened because of weather) and scored 52 runs for 8 in 15 overs. Government Secondary School, Afikpo got to 53 runs in 14.1 overs for 8 to be crowned champions of the tournament which lasted from Thursday April 11 to Sunday, April 14th, 2019.
The defending champions, Government Secondary School, Owerri, Imo state came 3rd from the points table while the two debuting schools from Enugu, St. Patrick College Emene and Union Secondary School, Enugu came 4th and 5th respectively.
Participating schools in the tournament include:
i. Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi State
ii. Bishop Crowther Seminary, Awka, Anambra state
iii. Government Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State
iv. St. Patrick College Emene, Enugu state.
v. Union Secondary School, Enugu, Enugu state.
Present at the closing ceremony was the member representing south east on the Nigeria Cricket Federation board, Mr. Chika Okoro, who also doubles as the sponsor through his company, Well Energy Limited. Also present was the Zonal Coordinator of National Sports Commission (South East) Mrs. Jane Owo, one time commissioner for Youth and Sports in Imo state, High Chief Tony Ajaelu, among other distinguished dignitaries.
Mr. Chika Okoro commended the youngsters for playing in the spirit of the game and promised that next edition will be more robust as there will be home and away matches as schools will play the championship in a league format. He donated cricket equipment to every school in the colorful closing ceremony which also featured presentation of medals, plaques and finally trophy to the champion, Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi state.
The finals also featured a demonstration match by female teams from Anambra and Ebonyi states in preparation for the inclusion of female cricket in next year’s edition.
Other highlights of the closing ceremony was the presentation of a cricket bat to Nigeria’s U19 sensation, Samual Mba by Mr. Chika Okoro.
Charles I. Obasi
Chairman, Organizing Committee,
South East Secondary School Cricket Championship.
Regional Development Officer (South East),
Nigeria Cricket Federation