By Ikemefuna Asika, Awka
Coal City Cricket club, Enugu have emerged winners of the maiden Ceaser Okogeri Cricket Championship which took place at St Patrick Secondary School Emene from the 19th to 21st of January 2024.
The club defeated their opponents Rising Sun Cricket Club, Enugu by 25 runs.
In the first innings, Coal City cricket club scored 81 runs all out in 15.2 overs of their alloted 20 overs while in the second innings Rising Sun scored 56 runs all out in 11.4 overs.
Speaking on the occasion, the South-East representative on the board of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Dr. Chika Okoro expressed gratitude to the sponsor of the tournament, Nze Ogbonna Okogeri, the Chairman of Enugu State Cricket Association for instituting the championship in memory of his late father, Ceaser Okogeri.
Dr. Okoro who described the late Ceaser Okogeri as a wonderful sports philanthropist noted that he was happy with the turnout of the participants “which is an indication that cricket as a sport has come to stay in the South- East”.
He disclosed that the game is going to be taking to primary schools.
“I am a development oriented and minded person, catch them young is the theme for this year, so we are going to the primary schools, we are going to try and push the 7 year olds, 9 year olds to start playing cricket so that by the time they in secondary schools, they will play good cricket ” he said.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Sport, Lloyd Ekweremadu who was the special guest on the occasion expressed delight with sponsor of the tournament. He pledged the support of the State government.
On the possibility of making sure all schools in Enugu State play the game, he disclosed that the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mba is bent on bringing back schools sport in Enugu State and to this end an inter – Ministerial committee had been set up.
“Our ambition in developing all sports especially at the grassroot is well placed”
Speaking earlier, Nze Ogbonna Okogeri (OGB) revealed that the championship is in honour of his late sports loving father who died thirty years ago in a ghastly motor accident.
He thanked all those who in one way supported in making the maiden edition very successful.
He promised to make the second edition bigger and the challenges observed will be addressed.
He also appealed to Enugu State Government to help the cricket Association in the State with land for the development of a cricket oval.
” Please tell his Excellency, Gov. Peter Mba that we are happy with his developmental strides, but we are asking for a land to develop cricket oval. We thank the Principal of St. Patrick College Emene who has graciously been accomodating us any time we come” he said.
The Principal of St. Patrick College Emene, Rev. Fr. Dr. Chijioke Eze reiterated his schools readiness to be the hub for cricket development in Enugu State.
Highlights of occasion was the presentation of souvenirs to the South East Zonal representative on the NCF board and the Chairmen of Cricket Associations of all the States in the South -East zone by the wife of the sponsor, Lolo UG Okogeri.
Ekweremadu later presented the converted trophy to the captain of the winning team, Coal City Cricket Club.
The following players won individual awards:
Best Bowler: Odo Chigozie of Rising Sun CC – 6 Wickets
Best Batter: Ogbue Prince of UNN CC – 56 Runs
MVP: Iyang Henry of Coal City CC
Young Rising Star – Ude Amarachi.
The Coal City team went home with a prize money of N50,000 while those that won individual awards went home with cash awards and a Certificate of Excellence. All participants also got a Certificates of Participation.
Four clubs: Coal City CC, Rising Sun CC, University of Nigeria Nsukka CC and St. Patrick College CC took part in the 3 – day event.
