Akanimo Kufre
As part of efforts to improve capacity and the Spirit of Cricket during the COVID 19 lockdown, the Nigerian Cricket Federation, NCF, has planned series of webinars to engage Coaches and Umpires across the country in stages.
The webinars are slated for May 23 and 24 of May 2020.
The Highlights of the webinars will include Non-Technical Skills in Basic Coaching, The Role Of a Coach, and the Challenges in Coaching a Team, Duties/Functions of an Umpire, Analysis of the PCT Codes for Umpires and How to Stay Positive and Confident About Your Umpiring.
Some of the facilitators include Onome Oghenekevwe, Clive Uthe, Olu Akintokun, and Enesi A.H.
Recall that the NCF recently had a similar Webinar for players.
Speaking with our correspondent at the time, The NCF president Prof Yahaya Ukwenya said the package will rewarding and lasting on Nigerian Cricket development.
“The webinar is a part of the series of programs designed by NCF for the COVID 19 lockdown. We decided to have programs to engage various segments of the federation. Some of these programs have already started and might continue after the lockdown. The purpose is to utilize the opportunity provided by information technology and online meeting.
The board had a Zoom Online meeting and planned to engage the coaches and umpires to broaden their understanding of the game and life as a cricketer and post cricket career.
For instance, the Vice President and I played the game and later followed our career pathways. Some of the facilitators like Seun Odeku, Associate Director, KPMG was a national team player. As long as cricket in Nigeria is yet a professional sport, we want to encourage that players have education and career pathways.” NCF President, Prof. Ukwenya said.
The Cricket game in Nigeria is decorated with seasoned professionals. The president, a professor, and surgeon, the vice president, Mr. Uyi Akpata is a top executive with PwC plus many others playing in various capacities.
In his reaction, former national team captain and players representative in the NCF board, Mr. Endurance OFEM assured that the series of training during the COVID 19 lockdown is timely.
“We are trying to develop a player base and Walkthrough a development pathway where our cricketers have the opportunity to listen to the best in their industry so that our players understand that it’s not just sports but they can build a career outside sports.
Some players can also develop careers after active play as coaches, administrators, umpires, and commentators like we have in other parts of the world. This is what we want to show participants of this webinar.” Endurance said.
Also the South-South Regional Development Officer, RDO Theophilus Ibodeme said the NCF webinars will help grassroots development as well as attract investment into the game development.
