Olopade hails Nigeria’s triumph in ICC T20 Qualifier
By Tosin Omojola
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has commended the Nigerian cricket team for their remarkable victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier C.
Speaking after the triumph, Hon. Olopade, who was present to cheer on the team, praised the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) and its president, Uyi Akpata, for their exceptional efforts in transforming cricket in Nigeria.
“I’m extremely proud, not just of the victory recorded today, but also of what my senior brother, Uyi Akpata, and his team have achieved with the Nigerian Cricket Federation,” Olopade said.
“When you look at this Oval and hear the story of how it became an ICC-standard facility, you marvel at the effort and passion they’ve put in. This aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of bringing the private sector on board to drive sports development.”
Hon. Olopade also highlighted the rapid growth of cricket in Nigeria, referencing the success of the Nigeria U-19 women’s cricket team, which recently secured Africa’s sole ticket to the ICC U-19 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2025.
“I’ve already promised to be present to support the U-19 female team,” he added.
Olopade emphasized the need to broaden Nigeria’s sports focus, advocating for the development of other sports alongside football.
“We need to de-emphasize the pedagogy of one sport being bigger than others. Cricket is massive globally, and it is gratifying to see Nigeria making inroads in the sport. The NSC will continue to support the federation, just as we do with others. Beyond growing participation, we aim to build a sustainable economy around the sports ecosystem.”
The Nigerian team dominated the tournament with an unbeaten record, winning all five matches. The competition featured teams from Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Côte d’Ivoire, and St. Helena.
Hon. Olopade concluded by stating that Nigeria’s victory reflects the strategic investments and dedication of stakeholders, positioning the country as an emerging force in global cricket.
