Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-02 05:07:40
Edo Boys High School in Ugbowo, Edo State emerged victorious in the 24th edition of the Howzat National Junior Cricket League, securing the prestigious Philip Asiodu Trophy. The final match took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, where Edo Boys defeated Government College Ibadan. Additionally, Government Model Secondary School in Asaba, Delta State secured the third position in the tournament, which was organized by the Howzat Foundation For Cricket in collaboration with the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF).
The tournament spanned from Thursday to Saturday and featured six secondary schools from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Edo, and Delta states. The participating schools included Kings College in Lagos, Ansar Ud Deen Grammar School in Lagos, Edo Boys High School in Benin City, Government College in Ibadan, Government Model Secondary School in Asaba, Delta State, and St. John Senior Secondary School in Ogun State. These schools competed for the top prize through a round-robin format.
The Most Valuable Player award and Best Bowler title were claimed by Onoshagbe Joseph of Edo Boys High School, while Emmanuel Ezegi of the same school earned the Best Batsman award. Fatai Bello of Ansar-Ur-Deen Grammar School received the Best Fielder award, and Okobi Destiny of Government Model Secondary School in Delta State was honored with the Wicket Keeper award.
Following the prize presentation, Prof. Frank Osato Giwa-Osagie, the chairman of the Howzat Foundation For Cricket, commended the dedication and hard work of the players and officials in ensuring the success of this year’s tournament. He emphasized that cricket is a sport that goes beyond just playing the game, highlighting the positive character development it instills in young individuals. Prof. Giwa-Osagie also urged the government to pay attention to sports like cricket to help the sport flourish in Nigeria, similar to the popularity of football and basketball.
The Howzat Foundation For Cricket has been actively promoting the sport at the secondary school and university levels, emphasizing the importance of diversifying the focus beyond just football. By nurturing cricket talent early on, the foundation aims to cultivate a strong cricket culture in Nigeria with adequate support and funding from the government.
In conclusion, the 24th edition of the Howzat National Junior Cricket League showcased the talent and skills of young cricketers from various secondary schools across different states in Nigeria. Edo Boys High School’s victory is a testament to their hard work and dedication, as well as the commitment of organizations like the Howzat Foundation For Cricket in promoting the growth of cricket within the country. With continued support and investment, cricket has the potential to become a thriving and popular sport in Nigeria alongside other well-established sports.
