MTN splashes N2m on cricket

Cadet cricket has received a big boost courtesy of Mobile Telecommunications Network[MTN] which recently redeemed its sponsorship pledge to the Nigeria Cricket Association[NCA]. This development is the culmination of months of discussions betwween the management of the GSM service providers and the NCA, which had submited to the former, a N4 million sponsorship proposal for a youth development programme dubbed 'Kanga Cricket'.

"The budget we put before them was N4 million,but
the cheque they have given to us is for N2
million,"disclosed the NCA Chairman Dr. John Abebe in
an exclusive interview with nigeriasports.com.

    He continued:"Actually,they've been able to meet
our demands half way,which I think is still okay
considering the unfavourable disposition of other
corporate bodies to such proposals.

    "What we have resolved to do is to manage what
we've got,since they[MTN]themselves are going to be
providing some things needed to make the programme a
success."

    Kanga Cricket,an initiative of the NCA boss,is a
youth development project that seeks to encourage
students in Primary Schools to play the game.

    "We are going to be getting over 1000 students
from 30 Primary Schools involved in the
programme,"said Abebe,adding that "the kids will be
provided with all the necessary tools like bats,guards
and balls;not less than 10 coaches will be teaching
them the basics and it's going to be fun-filled."

    The one day event,according to him,will hold on a
yet to be ascertained date in May 2004 at Nigeria's
premier cricket ground,the Tafawa Balewa Square Oval
in Lagos."For the record it's not going to be a one
off thing ,it will be an annual event,"he quipped.

   By Dipo Okubanjo