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The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare said the ministry would ensure Cricket’s return to the National Sports Festival (NSF).
The minister gave the assurance during the closing ceremony of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Men’s World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifiers on Saturday in Abuja.
“It is necessary for cricket to be among the events of the NSF. With all I have seen today (Saturday), there’s a clear justification to have cricket back. I will start that conversation with the Delta Governor and the (state’s) Sports Commission.
“We will meet and see what we can do, for what they have done and for the effort of these young athletes. We are on the global map of cricket,” he said.
The Minister commended the President of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata and the federation’s board for hosting the qualifiers.
Dare noted that the Nigerian team had a good performance in their final game.
“With the performance of these under-19 boys, the future is bright for them.
“I am proud of them even though they lost today. But I know we’ve qualified,” he said.
While speaking, Akpata said the NCF would receive a new coach from Kenya who would be working with the Nigerian team’s technical crew.
He said the coach would help to reinforce the team ahead of the division one, noting that the team played well but we’re done in by
