Of late, one of the cheering news to have emanated from the Kwara State Sports Associations is the plan by the Cricket Association in the state to host holiday cricket competition among secondary schools in Kwara during Easter.
To achieve this task and ensure a hitch free tournament, I have been informed that the association will give a face-lift to the cricket pitch and make it appropriate for the players and officials.
Additionally, the Kwara State Cricket Association has offered to train school masters representing the 16 Secondary Schools in coaching and officiating courses from next week.
Leading by example is the first Vice Chairman of the association, Mr Emmanuel Obafemi who has volunteered to clear the cricket pitch and return it to acceptable standard.
This development will help in promoting cricket in the state and it will encourage participation in the sports by our teeming youths.
Kwara is one of the leading states in cricket as the Technical Director of the Kwara State Cricket Association, Wale Obalola disclosed that Abdulquadri Taiwo and Samson Rachael have been invited to the national team and would take part in a bilateral series against Rwanda.
Similarly, Abiodun Rasheed has been named a member of the national U-19 Junior male team and with encouragement and better support, Kwara is capable of producing players like Virat Kohli, who is presently the best cricket player in the world.
Cricket at the moment is not a popular sporting event in the country as it does not get the kind of attention devoted to football, athletics and boxing among others.
Should cricket be allocated at least have the publicity and funding attached to football every year, it is expected that several world beaters are likely to be raised by the country.
The Kwara State Government through the Ministry of Sports and Youths Development must invest heavily in this bat and ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the centre of which a 20-metre (22-yard) pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising of two balls balanced on three stumps.
A competition like the Easter Holiday cricket tourney should be encouraged and supported by not only the Kwara State Government but also corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals from the state and beyond.
