Abuja, Nigeria – The President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Uyi Akpata, has unveiled the federation’s five-point agenda aimed at driving the growth and development of cricket across the country. Mr. Akpata disclosed this during a meeting with the team from Celebrity Sports Magazine, organizers of the Sports Legendary Awards, in Abuja.
Speaking on the federation’s strategic priorities, Mr. Akpata emphasized the importance of sustainable and strategic partnerships, particularly with the government, sponsors, and the media. "We rely on the media to share our gospel of what we're doing across all our key strategic imperatives," he said.
The federation’s agenda also includes a strong focus on infrastructure and equipment development, as well as high-performance initiatives within the center for excellence. "When you see you are getting something from the same critical partner, it is thrilling. It’s not about me alone but about those of us operating within the federation's governing structure," Mr. Akpata added.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Mr. Akpata shared his contributions to sports, particularly cricket and golf, as part of his corporate social responsibility. He highlighted the distinct qualities of both sports, noting that golf is about individual achievement, while cricket fosters teamwork, integrity, collaboration, respect, and patience. "These are attributes that I cherish and translate into my daily life, both as a person and a professional," he said.
Mr. Akpata also recounted his decision to enter sports administration at the age of 40, beginning with support for the Edo State Cricket Association. By the time he turned 50, he and his wife had established a foundation promoting ethics through sports, awarding over a hundred scholarships to cricket players, twelve of whom have since played for the national team.
One of the key components of the federation’s developmental plan is to introduce 250 kids to cricket every year in a structured manner, with their data recorded as part of the agenda. Mr. Akpata noted that six years ago, Nigeria had no internationally recognized cricket grounds, but today, there are over eight such grounds capable of hosting international events. The federation is also planning to host more international tournaments.
In terms of high performance, Mr. Akpata highlighted significant improvements in the rankings of Nigeria’s cricket teams. "Six years ago, our female team was ranked 54th in the world. Due to proactive governance, they are now ranked 27th. Similarly, our male team has risen from around 50th to 37th in the world," he stated.
The federation has also made strides in building capacity within the cricket ecosystem. Nigeria now boasts an internationally recognized coaches association with over 50 members, and an umpires association with over 100 members. Additionally, individuals are now employed as curators and contract players, earning a livelihood within the cricket value chain.
Mr. Akpata concluded by noting that the Nigerian cricket ecosystem has grown into a strong brand, consistently receiving awards from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its achievements and contributions to the sport.
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