By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-24 03:24:38
Coal City Cricket Club emerged victorious at the maiden Caesar Okogeri Club Championship, held at St. Patrick Secondary School in Enugu over the weekend. The three-day event featured teams such as St. Patrick Cricket Club, Rising Sun Cricket Club, UNN Cricket Club, and the eventual winners, Coal City. The chairman of the Enugu State Cricket Association, Ogbonnaya Okogeri, revealed that the competition was organized every two years to honor his late father, Caesar Okogeri, who passed away 30 years ago.
Okogeri emphasized the importance of cricket in social development and highlighted the valuable life skills that young players can gain from the game. Additionally, he noted the positive impact of cricket on youth empowerment, both socially and economically. In the final match, Coal City convincingly defeated Rising Sun, holding their opponent to 56-run, all out, in 11.4 overs for a 25-run victory to claim the championship trophy.
Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Llyod Ekweremadu, commended the organization and association for their dedication to sports development. He congratulated the Enugu State Cricket Association and the Caesar Okogeri Foundation for sponsoring and organizing the championship, aligning with the state government’s goal of diversifying sports in the region. Southeast zonal representative on the board of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Chika Okoro, praised the quality of play and organization of the tournament, emphasizing its significance in driving the game forward.
The event also honored outstanding individuals, with Odo Chigozie of Rising Sun receiving the best bowler award for taking six wickets. Ogbue Prince of UNN was recognized for his batting performance, garnering 56 runs. Inyang Henry of Coal City was named the Most Valuable Player, and Ude Amarachi was distinguished as the young Rising Star. Overall, the event showcased the talent and potential within the Enugu cricket community.
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