The 5th edition of the South East Secondary School Cricket Competition, featuring both male and female categories, has commenced in Umuahia, Abia State, with Government Secondary School, Owerri, currently leading the points table.
Declaring the tournament open on Saturday at Ibeku High School, Umuahia, the Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Alex Otti to making Abia a hub for sporting excellence.
Represented by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Sports, Mr. Raymond Ukwa, Ananaba emphasized that the state’s investment in sports extends beyond football to other disciplines, including cricket, athletics, and table sports.
> “As a government, we continue to support sports across the board,” he said. “Just last week, the National Volleyball Championship was hosted here, and throughout the year, several other championships have taken place in the state. This demonstrates Governor Alex Otti’s passion and investment in sports as a key driver of the economy.”
He further noted that the government is aware of the challenges faced by the Nigeria Cricket Association in the state particularly the absence of a standard pitch—and assured that efforts are underway to address them.
> “We know the issues, and we’re working to resolve them. The ongoing upgrade of the Umuahia Township Stadium is part of our plan to provide modern facilities for young athletes,” Ananaba added.
In his remarks, the South East Zonal Representative of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Surveyor Chika Okoro, expressed gratitude to Governor Otti and the Abia State Government for hosting the competition.
Okoro described the event as historic, noting that efforts to revive cricket in Abia over the past decade had faced numerous obstacles until now.
> “This is the first time we’re seeing a government genuinely ready to partner with us,” he said. “Governor Otti’s leadership has brought new hope to the sporting community, and we believe this partnership will restore cricket to its rightful place in Abia.”
He, however, reiterated the need for a standard cricket pitch in the state, stressing that proper infrastructure is vital for the game’s growth.
The five-state tournament, which brings together schools from across the South East, has also drawn the participation of veteran cricket players and enthusiasts, marking another milestone in the sport’s revival in the region.
