The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Oval, Nigeria’s historic home of cricket, with a shared memoir of the nation’s history has been commissioned with a new cricket turf wicket in Lagos.
TBS which earlier had concrete bowling strips are now replaced with grass, after 18 months of hiatus which has been a challenge for cricket development.
Akinwunmi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos State, joined Professor Osato Osagie, the Special Guest of Honour for the commissioning of the turf wicket at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval.
Ambode observed the game of cricket is capable of cultivating discipline and critical life skills among youths.
“I think critical to success in any endeavour in life are the soft skills that the game of cricket teaches and we are very happy at the recent uptick in the development of the cricket. This turf wicket compliments all the effort of the administration in growing the game and I believe we would in no time feel its impact.”
Also, Nigerian youths and cricket stakeholders were charged to pull resources together to further the growth of the game in Africa’s most populous nation.
“I am glad at the level of development that this ground has undergone. This ground holds a lot of memories and mean much to the history of Nigeria and cricket.” Prof. Osato Osagie said as he cuts the commemorative tape.
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Uyi Akpata, added the facility upgrade has increased the number of top-flight cricket grounds in the country to seven in just one year that the Federation commenced the project.
“Facility upgrade scores very high on our agenda and the TBS is very critical in that sphere as it is Nigeria’s frontline facility.”
Akpata says that this easily puts Lagos on the map with two top facilities capable of hosting world-class events including the University of Lagos grounds in Akoka.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s biggest cricket League, the CCC (Club Cricket Committee) League, will have its elite division games on the grass wickets.
Two commemorative games were played at the launch of the event, the first was between selected present and past national team players and other top cricketers in the country (elites). The selected international won by 11 runs.
The veteran’s game (Over 50’s) which featured several invited cricket stakeholders and ex-internationals across the country saw the former president of the Federation, Kwesi Sagoe pitched against the Kome Agodo’s side.
Other top Cricketers that graced the event included, Chuma Anosike, Professor Jacob Onyechi (Teamber), Femi Olayiwole, Okon Ukpong, Uthe Ogbimi, Omini Ofem, Barnaby Ephraim, Wale Obalola, Charles Omoera, Dipo Idowu and Kofi Sagoe.
