Federal Government to receive Cricket World Cup Trophy today

Sports Minister, John Enoh, is expected to receive cricket’s World Cup trophy on behalf of the Federal Government today in Abuja.

The cricket World Cup is on a worldwide trophy tour, with its two-day sojourn in Nigeria beginning from today.

Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Uyi Akpata, yesterday, said the minister has pledged his support to the Federation on the trophy’s tour of the country.

According to Akpata: “Despite the short time the minister has in settling down before our request came for him to be our chief host for the World Cup, he has embraced it, and also pledged support for the event.”

The Cricket World Cup is on a tour of three African countries, Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa, ahead of the ODI World Cup that kicks off in India later in October. The World Cup is scheduled to arrive in Abuja, Nigeria, today.

“There are expectations from the international cricket community on the growing influence of the game in the country, and that puts Nigeria squarely as a major cricket developing nation, in the world today,” he said.

Uyi said aside from the game, the trophy tour of Nigeria would afford stakeholders a closer interaction with the top hierarchy of the International Cricket Council (ICC), who are part of the tour, on issues around the game. He said it would also be a ground to show off the diverse cultural expressions the country is blessed with.

“Of course, the minister as the chief host, will receive the World Cup trophy and will also be engaging ICC officials during the process, but we plan to give a unique Nigerian welcome to the trophy and the team of ICC officials that would be coming along.”

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