A cricketer battling for honour at Indomie Secondary School Championship in Port Harcourt, Rivers State recently

The Minister of Sports, Mr
Tammy Danagogo, has said the ministry would collaborate with corporate bodies to support the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) to develop the sport in Nigeria.
Danagogo made the promise in his opening remarks at the first national Under-15 Boys cricket championships held at the Abuja national stadium.
“With the efforts shown by the cricket federation, the ministry will support them in collaboration with other stakeholders and corporate organisations to develop the sport.
“This calls for collaborative efforts on the part of all well meaning stakeholders, corporate entities and we the government to support them.“
He advised all federations to go back to the grassroots to develop talents, adding that with such programmes, upcoming talents could be groomed.
“ Our road map to sports development in this country is to give attention to grassroots programmes in all sports.’’
The minister stated that the federation was up and doing, adding that it planned to develop the cricket pitch at the stadium.
Danagogo, however, said the cricket pitch would be worked on to become international standard that could host international competitions.
The President of the NCF, Mr Emeka Enyeama, said all the U-15 teams competed under their various regions, adding that the best team in each region participated in this last phase.
He said that initially the six regions were to be represented but unfortunately the North-east was not able to attend as a result of late information.
“The six regions are North-west, South-south, South-west, South-east, North-central and North-east but unfortunately North-east was not present, making it five regions in the final phase of the competition,’’ he said.