THE President, Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Uyi Akpata, says school competitions and grassroots development programmes are playing a major role in producing the next generation of cricket talents in the country.
Akpata disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to him, the federation has made schools the foundation of its development plan because they provide the best platform to discover young players.
He said introducing cricket to children at an early age had helped to increase participation and improve the quality of players coming through the system.
The NCF president further noted that the federation had continued to work with schools nationwide, through various competitions and development programmes to ensure more children had access to the sport.
“Our focus has always been on the grassroots because that is where the future of Nigerian cricket lies.
“When children are introduced to cricket in schools, they learn the game early and develop their skills over time.
“The school system also allow us to identify talented players and guide them through the right pathway,” he said.
Akpata said school competitions had become an important avenue for discovering gifted players who later progressed to state and national teams.
He noted that many players currently representing Nigeria, first played cricket in school competitions organised or supported by the federation.
According to him, the federation has continued to partner with state associations, schools, teachers and other stakeholders to expand the reach of the game.
Apata added that training teachers and coaches was also important because they helped young players develop the right skills and understanding of the game.
“We cannot build cricket without qualified coaches and teachers.
“They are the ones who work with these children everyday and help them improve.
“That is why we continue to organise coaching and training programmes across the country,” he said.
The NCF president noted that the federation was also committed to providing playing equipment and creating more opportunities for young cricketers to compete regularly.
He added that regular competitions helped players gain confidence, improve their performance and prepare for higher levels of the game.
Apata said support from parents, schools, government and the private sector remained important for the continued growth of cricket in the country.
He urged more organisations to invest in grassroots cricket, saying such support would help discover more talents and strengthen the country’s future national teams.
The NCF president expressed confidence that Nigeria would continue to produce quality players capable of competing successfully at continental and international competitions, if grassroots development remained a priority.
He said the federation would sustain its investment in school cricket to ensure more young Nigerians embraced the sport and have opportunities to develop their talents.
“Grassroots development is not something that produces results overnight, but if we remain consistent, Nigeria will continue to enjoy the benefits in the years ahead.
“Our goal is to build a strong future for cricket and that future starts in our schools,” Akpata said. (NAN)
A.I
Aug. 4, 2026
Tags: Nigeria Cricket Federation Uyi Akpata
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