Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-19 01:44:17
The Lagos State Cricket Association (LSCA) has recently launched the Schools Development Programme with the goal of reaching over 300,000 students aged four to twelve years by 2026. This initiative is part of the association’s larger effort to develop cricket at the grassroots level. The programme is specifically targeted at public and private primary schools, as well as Junior Secondary School (JSS) One students. The slogan for the initiative is ‘Lagos Cricket Reignites,’ and the first phase of the programme was officially launched at the Tafawa Balewa Square oval in Lagos.
The primary objective of the Schools Development Programme is to identify young talents and provide the necessary support to develop their cricket skills. The ultimate goal is to establish a well-organized junior cricket programme in the country. Kofi Sagoe, the Chairman of LSCA, emphasized the association’s commitment to increasing participation in the sport. He noted that the association aims to attract over 1,000 participants with its maiden launch and hopes to eventually reach 300,000 participants by 2026. This aligns with the Nigerian Cricket Federation’s (NCF) target of having one million participants by the same year.
To support the grassroots development project, the LSCA has received substantial assistance from both the Lagos Cricket stakeholders and the Sagoe Family Foundation. In total, 450 starter packs valued at approximately N12 million have been donated to help kickstart the programme. These starter packs will provide essential equipment and resources to the students involved.
Sagoe also revealed that the LSCA plans to integrate cricket into the school curriculum and extracurricular activities. The goal is to introduce cricket as part of the physical education lessons in schools and establish after-school cricket clubs. By incorporating cricket into the educational framework, the association hopes to identify and nurture young talent. Furthermore, the LSCA intends to create a schools’ league where students can showcase their developed skills and talents in the sport. This approach will allow participants to gain valuable experience in different formats of the game, including windball cricket, tennis ball cricket, and hardball cricket.
The Schools Development Programme represents an important step in the LSCA’s efforts to build a strong foundation for cricket in Lagos State. By targeting young students, the association aims to establish a pipeline of talent that can contribute to the growth of the sport at both the local and national levels. With the support of various stakeholders and donors, the programme is poised to make a significant impact on the development of cricket in Lagos and beyond. As the initiative progresses, it has the potential to create new opportunities for young cricket enthusiasts while fostering a culture of sports participation and healthy competition.
