Abuja- The eight edition of the National Men’s Cricket Championship organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) got underway in Abuja on Friday with five teams from five geo-political zones in attendance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship taking place at the Cricket pitch of the National stadium Abuja will end on Dec. 7.
Emeka Onyeama, President of NCF told NAN that the championship was organised to select national team players in preparation for the 2015 Cricket World Cup scheduled for Hong Kong.
“This is the national men championship; it’s usually a platform used by a team of selectors to choose those who will represent Nigeria in any international event that has to do with Cricket.
“Usually we have this once every year in preparation for the World Cup which is coming up next year.
“We have gathered here five states from five different zones after their playoffs in different zones.
“This time around we had over 17 states participating from different zones that brought about five coming to play here,’’ Onyeama said.
He said that the prize money for the championship would be determined by the sponsors, Montage Television and Dr John Abebe.
Kwara (North Central), Oyo (South West), Enugu (South East), Kaduna (North West) and Edo (South South) are representing the country’s five geo-political zones that are participating.
North East geo-political zone failed to show up for the championship due to security concerns.
NAN reports that the championship which is in its preliminary round would see teams play each other in a 25 oval round-robin format before the final on Sunday. (NAN)
