Government Secondary School (GSS), Afikpo and Sir Francis Ibiam Grammar School, Afikpo, have emerged champions of the Ebonyi Secondary School Cricket Championship in the male and female categories respectively.
The championship was organised by the Ebonyi chapter o the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, in conjunction with the Ebonyi Cricket Association.
The competition is being held across the three senatorial districts of Ebonyi to discover and develop young cricket talents.
Technical Officer for the Ebonyi South series, Ebi Agha, disclosed the results while speaking with newsmen on Saturday.
Agha said GSS Afikpo defeated Amuro Mgbom Secondary School, Afikpo, to emerge winner of the male category.
He noted that both schools were the only male teams in the district competition.
According to him, GSS Afikpo will represent Ebonyi South in the male category of the state finals.
Agha said Sir Francis Ibiam Grammar School won the female category after defeating Holy Child Secondary School and Amuro Mgbom Secondary School.
He said the school defeated Holy Child by nine wickets and Amuro Mgbom by 13 runs.
The victory secured Sir Francis Ibiam Grammar School’s qualification for the female category of the state finals.
Agha commended SWAN and the Ebonyi Cricket Association for promoting grassroots cricket development in the state.
“The competition was challenging, but teams and officials ensured a hitch-free tournament,” he said.
South-East Representative on the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Chika Okoro, urged teams to compete fairly and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.
He said the championship was aimed at discovering young talents to sustain cricket development in the region.
Okoro called on governments to support cricket development, noting that the sport had brought recognition to Ebonyi and the South-East.
The Ebonyi SWAN Chairman, Andy Nwogha, commended stakeholders for supporting the championship.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to sports development and talent discovery.
Nwogha also appreciated Gov. Francis Nwifuru and Okoro for their contributions to sports and cricket development.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chukwuemeka Opara, assured stakeholders of a successful competition across the three senatorial districts.
Trinity Secondary School, Abakaliki, qualified from the North Senatorial District in both male and female categories.
Attention has now shifted to the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District qualifiers ahead of the state finals.
