Abuja – Emeka Onyeama, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), on Monday said Nigeria’s qualification to Division Four of the World Cricket League would boost its position in the game globally.
Onyeama told newsmen in Abuja that the male senior national cricket team would do all its best to ensure it achieves its target of qualifying.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team is preparing for the World Cricket League Division Five Championship scheduled for May 19 to May 29 in Jersey Island.
The championship serves as a qualifier to the league’s Division Four, with the top two teams in the event gaining promotion to the Division Four.
“ Division four is very significant for us, because it has an enormous opportunity that comes with it.
“It will give our players the opportunity to play in international teams. Our players can be qualified to play in the Indian Premier league (IPL).
“Playing in Division Four will raise the standard and quality of the game, attract foreigners into Nigeria, and enable us to start playing commercial cricket as well as playing cricket league.
“We will also have the world league coming up in Nigeria. Once you get to this platform you are very important as long as International Cricket Council (ICC) is concerned.
“It is going to bring up a beehive of activities in Nigerian cricket, as long as we qualify. Then, we will no longer have a hiding place as long as cricket is concerned in Nigeria,’’ Onyeama said.
The Nigerian team is expected to leave the country on a playing tour of the UK on Wednesday with 16 players and three officials.
Nigeria is expected to play Tanzania in her first match in the 50 overs game on May 21, followed by Oman on May 22 in her second game.
The Yellow Greens of Nigeria will battle Guernsey on May 24 and Vanuatu on May 25, while its last group match will be against hosts Jersey on May 27.(NAN)