National Team wicket-keeper and opening batsman Dolapo Gaffar says Nigeria's succes at
next August's World League Series in Lusaka,Zambia would depend on the efforts of the cricket authorities at facilitating adequate preparations for the Nigerian team ahead of the comprtition.
He told nigeriasports.com in Lagos that the team has to spend at least one month in a
country with modern playing turf to be able to cpmpete favourably against prospective opponents.Nigeria along
with other Associate members of the ICC including Uganda,Malawi,Zambia and other Affiliate members are taking part at the tournament which will determine the country to join the big boys at the next World Cup.'We appreciate the importance of the task ahead and we dont want to let this opportunity slip away'he said.
The Nigeria Cricket Association under the leadership of Dr. John Abebe, has alredy put in place a dynamic programme aimed at taking the game to the next height after earning for the country, ICC's associate status.'Of course there is a league going on,this is complemented by series of developmental projects,yet all these are done on the concrete surface.We need to spend at least a month outside the country in a place like South Africa where these modern facilities and equipment exist' Gaffar stated.
The cricket league is already in its sixth week and players are beginning to distinguish themselves ,while
Gaffar's Foundation Cricket Club and Cosmopolitan are dictating the pace on the standings.The defending champions Howzat Pioneers were yet to fully get over the internal crisis that punctuated their start to the season. 'If you talk of very good talents,they abound in this country.What we need is adequate funding and support from corporate bodies.We realised from our participation in previous tournaments outside the country that what we lack is exposure to the soft surface,rather jute on concrete 'he stressed.
Gaffar is one of Nigeria's most consistent cricket player with a string of honours to his burgeoning career.
Report: Oladipo Okubanjo
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