5th July, 2012
States have called on Nigeria Cricket Federation, NCF to give them equipment support for the development of cricket in their domains.
This was part of the demand of the participants from different states that took part in the recently held ICC/ACA Level 1 Coaching Course for Level Zero Coaches held in Benin-city at the Haven hotel Uselu, Benin city, Edo State. P.M.Sports gathered that the participants were drawn from all the cricket playing zones in the country.
Participants were unanimous in their request for more equipment support from the NCF, while expressing gratitude to the federation for the coaches training programme.
Cyril Musa, who represented chairman of Edo State Cricket Association Chairman, commended the NCF for organising the event in Benin- City noting that it would go a long way in sustaining the enthusiasm for development work by coaches in the state.
The course, which was attended by 15 participants, had as the chief resource person, Okon Ukpong, Chairman Technical Committee of the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
The course, according to Mr. Okon Ukpong, was put in place to upgrade the technical knowledge of participants, to enable them take cricket to the grassroots and ultimately prepare Nigerian cricketers for the challenges of current international standards.
The course content included lectures on the ICC/ACA development coaching pathway, roles of a coach, long term athlete development, batting, bowling, fielding, wicket keeping, physical and mental condition. Practical sessions and audio visual sessions were also part of the programme.
The Regional Development Officer South-South, Uthe Ogbimi presented additional video materials to participants to enhance the volume of knowledge acquired at the course.
The Secretary- General of the NCF Patrick Okeke encouraged the participants to ensure that they pay attention to all the details of the course contents, as delivered by the ICC certified Instructor and diligently impart the knowledge to youngsters in their various regions to make the NCF investments on them not to be in vain.