Sports

National Women’s Cricket Title: Alli Hails Akpata As Edo State Sports Commission Honours Women Cricket Team

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2024

The Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yussuf Alli, has commended the the state Cricket team for making the state proud after emerging champions at the National Women Cricket Championship in Abuja.

He also commented the Chairman, Edo State Cricket Association and President, Nigeria Cricket Federation Mr Uyi Akpata for the investment and commitment.

The Edo Sports Commission boss gave the commendation during a reception ceremony organised by Sports Commission in honour of the victorious Edo women Cricket team who returned from Abuja recently with the national title.

Receiving the team with the national women gold cup and other two trophies they earlier won in the month of October, the Edo Sports Commission boss said that he was not surprised that the state cricket team won the national women championship title.

He showered praises on the girls; their coaches and all the stakeholders in the Edo Cricket Association with a special appreciation for the hard work and huge investment by the president, Mr Uyi Akpata.

“You are welcome back home. We are proud of you girls and your chairman. To us as a Commission, we are not surprised by your achievements. When you consider all the investments and resources Mr Uyi Akpata has committed to the development of Cricket in the state and nation, you would not expect anything less than good results like this. We are thrilled by your performance and expect more laurels.

“When the governor gave us a target to discover 2000 athletes (raw talents) annually, we did not have any headaches because Uyi Akpata is on ground. He made our job easier for us as he expanded the Edo Cricket programme and delivered over 2000 to us through cricket alone.

“Akpata is a wonderful selfless man who has been doing a great job for our state and country through cricket. For us to have about nine or ten athletes in the National Cricket teams is not a mean feat. It means the team is good. Kudos to our cricket team and the chairman, Uyi Akpata.”

Alli rewarded the champions with N1.Million for doing the state proud.

Edo State‘s cricket team emerged champions in the 2024 Nigeria Cricket Federation’s National Women’s Championship on Sunday, October 27,2024 in Abuja after beating Akwa Ibom by 89 runs in the final match on Sunday, October 27,2024 to claim the National Women Championship title.

Peace Usen of team Edo was named player of the match after taking five wickets in four overs, conceding just six runs and achieving one maiden over.

In the second innings, Edo’s impressive performance saw off all Akwa Ibom batters in just 12 overs, restricting them to a mere 39 runs.

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

5 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.