…as Yussuf Alli hails team, Uyi Akpata
The Edo State Sports Commission Chairman, Olympian Yussuf Alli has applauded the State’s Women’s Cricket Team, Chairman Edo State Cricket Association, and President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Uyi Akpata for securing three major championship titles in October.
Alli gave the commendation on Monday at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, during a grand reception ceremony organized by Edo State Sports Commission in honour of the victorious Edo Women Cricket Team who returned from Abuja recently with the three titles.
In her remarks, Mrs. Margaret Okhi, the tournament’s organizing secretary, praised the players’ versatility and hard work, calling their achievements a testament to their dedication.
While presenting the cups, the coach, Edo Women’s Cricket Team, Theophilus Ibodeme, and captain Favour Eseigbe expressed their appreciation to Yussuf Alli for the enabling environment and support the team has enjoyed so far under his watch. They assured the Sports Commission boss of their continuous show of commitment and dedication, promising to replicate the feat at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State next year January.
Receiving the team with the national women’s gold cup and other two trophies won earlier in October, the Edo State Sports Commission boss praised the girls, their coaches, and all the stakeholders in the Edo State Cricket Association, and especially appreciated Mr. Uyi Akpata’s hard work and immense investments.
“You are welcome back home. We are proud of you girls and your chairman. To us as a Commission, we are not surprised by your achievements. When you consider all the investments and resources Mr. Uyi Akpata has committed to the development of cricket in the state and nation, you would not expect anything less than good results like these. We are thrilled by your performance and expect more laurels.
“When the Governor gave us a target to discover 2,000 athletes (raw talents) annually, we did not have any headaches because Uyi Akpata is on ground. He made our job easier for us as he expanded the Edo cricket programme and delivered over 2,000 to us through cricket alone.
“Akpata is a wonderful selfless man who has been doing a great job for our state and country through cricket. For us to have about nine or ten athletes in the National Cricket teams is not a mean feat. It means the team is good. Kudos to our cricket team and the Chairman, Uyi Akpata,” Alli said as he rewarded the champions with N1,000,000 for doing the state proud.
Edo State Women’s Cricket Team emerged champions in the 2024 National Women’s Championship hosted by the Nigerian Cricket Federation in Abuja on Sunday, October 27, after beating Akwa Ibom by 89 runs in the final match to claim the National Women Championship title.
Peace Usen of team Edo was named Player of The Match after taking five wickets in four overs, conceding just six runs and achieving one maiden over.
In the second innings, Edo’s impressive performance saw off all Akwa Ibom batters in just 12 overs, restricting them to a mere 39 runs.
Other teams that participated in the eight teams’ championship finals include Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos and Anambra states.
The Edo State Women’s Cricket team earlier in October won the South-South Zonal Elimination Cup in Port Harcourt and later won the Helping Hands Consultancy Limited Invitational Tournament Cup held in Edo State before the National Women Championship titles.
