‘NCF wants to build sustainable partnerships, relationships’

NCF President, Uyi Akpata (right), during a recent demonstration game in Lagos

His enthusiasm is infectious. Since Uyi Akpata took over as president of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), he has gone about the job as if nothing else matters. And, in fact, with Akpata, nothing compares to cricket.

The former NCF vice president, who is also the chairman of Edo Cricket Association, is always seeking engagements, alliances that will bring sustainable development to the game he has been part of since his secondary school days at Federal Government College, Warri.

As part of its growth initiatives, the NCF, under Akpata, has started a programme that will drive infrastructural development across the nation and also set up an administrative architecture that will lead to seamless execution of the Federation’s projects.

Recently in Lagos, the NCF commissioned the rebranded turf of the Tafawa Balewa Square Oval, which according to Akpata, has increased the number of top flight cricket grounds in the country to seven in just one year.

Akpata said: “Facility upgrade scores very high on our agenda and the TBS is very critical in that sphere as it is Nigeria’s frontline facility.”

He added that the latest development has put Lagos on the map with two top facilities capable of hosting world class events. The other facility is at the University of Lagos in Akoka.

Reiterating his desire to bring all stakeholders in on the new path to growth, Akpata said he is working to establish sustainable relationships and partnerships.

“We want all our partners in this project because without that support, we cannot achieve our objective.

“Cricket is a big tool for social engineering. For instance, when we started playing cricket at Edo Boys, Benin, about six