CSED (Community Sport and Educational Development) Initiative in partnership with the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) held a two-day introduction to cricket training for pupils of five primary schools in Obio Offot (Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State).
The event which was approved by the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Education and their Youths and Sports Counterpart was held at the premises of St Mary’s Primary School was attended by 82 (eighty-two) pupils from five primary schools, namely:
1. Government Primary School, Affair Offot, Uyo.
2. St. Michael African Church School.
3. St. Patrick Primary School.
4. St. Mary’s Primary School.
5. Wisdom Nursery and Primary School.
These students who were supervised by their respective P.E. Teachers were introduced to the game of cricket at the event by nine cricket instructors that was led by Blessing Etim (current deputy captain of the Nigerian female national team and NCF Development Officer in Akwa Ibom State).
The training sessions involved the boys and girls doing light warm up, throwing and catching skills in five different groups, with over arm and under arm throws. As well as high and low catches.
On the second day of this training events, the pupils were put through their paces in the areas of basic skills like bowling, batting, fielding, wicket keeping, running between wickets. The event was rounded up by an exhibition match between the students who were divided into two teams. The youngest pupil that attended this cricket clinic was three years old, while the oldest was eleven years old.
From the enthusiasm shown by the students and teachers that attended this event; there are indications that NGOs and corporate organisations would need to work harder and make maximum use of the opportunities for collaboration that is offered by the current receptive Board of the NCF; in introducing a minority sport like cricket to pupils in all states of the federation.