The Nigeria Cricket Federation has distributed the second tranche of palliatives to the national team players. In a bid to continue alleviating the needs of the players during this pandemic period, the Federation gave out cash to every arm of the National team comprising of the Senior Men and Women’s team and the Under-19 Male team.
As government continues the gradual process of easing the lockdown across the country, the Federation is keen to have athletes and players at full capacity when sporting activities return fully. The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports development have earlier in the month submitted a proposal to the Federal government on the safest ways sporting activities can begin with non-contact sports on the front burner of that process for which Cricket is expected to benefit.
You may recall that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Nigeria was primed to attend the finals of the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) Finals in Kenya and also participate at the National Sports Festival tagged Edo2020. These competitions may be handed in thick and fast, hence the need to keep players fit and firing at all cylinders when duty calls.
Speaking with the Players representative on the N.C.F Board Mr Endurance Ofem, he expressed delight on the Board’s position on players welfare. ‘’ The second tranche of palliatives is necessary to ensure the players see we mean business when we say our administration is about partnering with players, am glad the leadership of the board continues to see the need for this important move to keep the players above waters. It is worth the push and support regularly. Am glad the board is regularly in one voice when it comes to players matters he said’’.
Captain of the Nigeria National Team Joshua Ayannaike, thanked the Federation for the timely intervention and support as the palliative has been of immense help in providing supplies for the players who have been in home routine exercises with a virtual trainer contracted by the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
In other news, The University of Lagos has begun the reconstruction of the Cricket pitch in the campus. Supervising the project is Mr. Yemi Amusa who said the construction is primarily sponsored by the Cricket Alumni Association of the University……………Details later
MUSA EHIZOJE BODIE
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (NCF)