By Ijeoma Okigbo
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) on Tuesday in Benin unveiled a new multi-purpose facility at the Iyoba College cricket pitch.
The unveiling was done on the sidelines of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) which ends on Wednesday.
Uyi Akpata, VicePresident of the federation, said the facility was one of the best in the country.
He added that the objective of putting it in place was to ensure that the pitch would be a cricket hub for girls.
Just barely two years ago, we started exploring this ground (Iyoba cricket pitch). Now we have arguably one of the best pitches in Nigeria.
This pitch will be set out as a mark of objective of making it a centre of excellence for girls.
So, when we came here (Benin) three months ago, during the under-17 championship in January, we felt that we needed to have this dressing room facility.
And I must say that other than the Tafawa Balewa Square In Lagos and perhaps the University of Port Harcourt, there is no other facility like this in the country.
We are glad that God has given us the opportunity, but we will continue to do the best for female cricket in Edo.
I assure that next time you come here Iyoba will have turf wicket. So, a few friends are joining PETS Foundation to see this happen, he said.
Akpata also lauded his wife for her dedication to ensuring the Iyoba turf wicket came to light.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PETS Foundation is one of NCFs partners.(NAN)
Source: NAN News