2013 NCL: ‘Team Rivers Parades Killer Squad’

Team Rivers is now to represent South-South in the 8th edition of National male cricket league expected to be hosted in Abuja between 5th December to 8th this year.
Rivers State qualified for the competition after defeating Akwa-Ibom State during the zonal elimination game held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital over the weekend.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tidesports in Port Harcourt, yesterday the chief coach of Rivers State cricket, Tonye Timinade said Team Rivers over-ran Akwa Ibom State by 97 wickets to quality for the competition.
He further said that the team was now fortified to stage surprises during the competition proper.
Timinade expressed optimism that Team Rivers would target gold medals in order to lift the overall trophy, pointing out that fund was a major challenge of the team.
“We ask for support especially funds raising to help the team prosecute their camping and also prepare for the competition proper,” Coach Timinade insisted.
Commenting on the female cricket team that failed to qualify for the competition following the team’s defeat by Edo State, Timinade lauded the team for reaching the finals of the elimination series.
This is the first time female cricket team from Rivers State is groomed to play out this level of competition. They have done very well from the two weeks of camping before the elimination tournament.
He used the opportunity to appeal to Rivers people particularly cricket fans to continue to support the male team to enable them shine when the event eventually starts.
According to him, Rivers, Lagos and Anambra States have so far qualified while Kaduna and Abuja would play their elimination this weekend so as to complete the slot for the competition.

Isaac Nwankwo, & Dick Aggo