Interview with Nigerian Pace Sensation: Akolade Saheed O

Hello Prince welcome to Associate and Affiliate Cricket. As we always start the Interview we would start with the question like always

For the interest of Wider world, I would like to ask you what is the status of cricket in your country?
The Status of cricket in Nigeria is not bad because Nigeria is an associate member of ICC and Cricket is
the first sport played in Nigeria and Nigeria cricket Federation is trying to develop the game all over
Nigeria but it's not easy for them because the game is not popular in the Country, People focus on
football a lot.

Akolade bowling. The picture is testimony to pace he can deliver

What is required for taking cricket to next level in your country?
We need the Nigeria Government to support the Nigeria Cricket Federation and we need sponsors to help NCF with development program and help they create tournament and league.We lack cricket educational
program for coaches, Umpires and all the officials. We lack good cricket pitches. 
 
What are the challenges in playing for an Associate Nation?
The matches we play at the ICC World Cricket League are good but we don't get to rest effort to play good
cricket because sometimes we land in a country and we have to play 2 games straight away.. I am happy
playing the tournaments but this are some challenges we face sometimes.

What should ICC do to make the game global in true sense?
ICC are doing a very great job in developing the game globally but if they can do 50% more of what they
are currently doing, i believe there will be more progress in associate cricket.


How does it feel to be a star in your country at such a young age?
I feel very happy and proud but I am still working very hard because I know one day i will lead the
country to glory. I have a lot of cricket currently coming my way.. Playing the 2011/2012 cricket season
in the CCC Cricket League in Lagos, Nigeria and 2012 cricket season to play in England.. I want to be a
professional Cricketer one day.

What are the steps that need to be taken to make cricket self sufficient financially in Nigeria?
Nigeria Government assisting with fund yearly just like ICC, Getting cooperate Sponsors and Nigeria
Cricket Federation need to find something that will generate funds for them.

Do you feel you can match the pace of  legends of West Indies or Shoaib Akhtar?

Yes.. Currently i am still young and i am bowling very quick now.. Coaches and Umpires at the World Cricket League 6 told me that i can really be very quick one day like Dale Steyn and others.

I believe i can bowl around the 160 Kph mark one day

 

Can Cricket pick up as a game in Nigeria
Yes..We development program are in place... People Love cricket here in Nigeria 

What else would you like to share?
Watch Out for Saheed Akolade in some years time

I have trails next year in a county in England and i am getting ready for it.I am currently 18 years now

 

Why do you want to play in England

cricket in Nigeria is not pro.I rather play in England and improve my cricket with top coaches and facilities

and help Nigeria in international tournaments

If cricket turns Pro in Nigeria so will you be willing to play for Nigeria

yes

 

Thanks Saheed for taking out time. We are sure that you will be the next sensation from Associate World to rock the Cricket World. A very best from our side. 

 

Interview: Nigerian Star and Captain, Endurance Ofem

Today we have with us the Nigerian Star and Captain, Endurance Ofem. We must thank him for taking out time and Associate and Affiliate Cricket World Welcomes him

Endurance Ofem in action

For the interest of Wider world, I would like to ask you what is the status of cricket in your country?
Cricket in nigeria is a growing sports that is played in various states of the country. Most of the cricket played in the country centers around the south western states like Lagos, ogun, oyo, and a few others like EDO, delta, enugu, imo, anambra, kaduna, Kebbi, and abuja.
Its most at club level with various leagues. You can follow them @ ccclagos.org or nigeriacricketfederation.com

What is required for taking cricket to next level in your country?
I think the administrative fronts structures are been set up but we require a decent financial base to set up indoor facilities and turf like playing surfaces backed with constant tours against decent opponents. Some level of professionalism is required and the board and government have to look towards this direction.

What are the challenges in playing for a Associate Nation?
The lack of facilities and funding has been the major challenges for us as an associate nation. The fact that you can't play above your league because of the level of cricket and the amount of funding.

What should ICC do to make the game global in true sense?
Expand the world cup and readjust the qualifying process. It needs to be truely global. Introduce the game to commonwealth and the olympics games.

How does it feel to be a star in your country at such a young age?
well I feel privilege and honored to be representing my country. I call it giving back mostly when you get little wearing the green colours. That am proud of. This have always been my dreams but even at a much higher level.

What are the steps that need to be taken to make cricket self sufficient financially in Nigeria?
Nigeria's cricket needs a solid financial base with a strong club structures. The government needs to invest in the federation understanding the icc development and funding process. on field performance is number 1 priority and player development is key to deliver this which should later turn into returns. Professionalism must be introduce to expand the interest base of growing cricketers who should see a reason to want to play the game, then the corporate world and market will come in. But they are required combine factors.

Thank you Endurance for taking out time. We wish Nigeria all the best for future, and we hope that in future like football Nigeria becomes a major cricketing nation. 

Chapter 6: Africa Div 2 (T20) Championship, World Twenty20 Qualifier

The decision by ICC to revert back the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 from 16 nation to a 12 nation tournament in lieu of making 2015 WC a 14 nation affair came as a shock. On one side they talk to using T20 a driver to expand cricket and then suddenly mid way they decided to go back on their words just because many corrupt Test cricket board that depend on handout from ICC like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe or West Indies could have the money. This decision really made me think so stop writing on World Twenty20. But then over time I write for the Associate and would do my bit to get some coverage for them. Though now just 2 chapters are left, I would finish all chapters as fast and catch up with the present.

The African Div 2 was supposed to be a 10 nation tournament with teams divided into 2 pools of 5 and each team playing all the opposite pool teams. Hence each team was supposed to play 5 matches and 25 matches in Total and all 10 teams in 1 pool. It was a complicated system. Then Zambia bound by corruption scandal of money embezzlement was suspended by ICC. This reduced the tournament to 9 nation and above complicated system could not be applicable. A simple system of 9 teams one pool came into effect.

The 9 teams in the tournament were Botswana, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Swaziland & Tanzania. There were 2 slots with Nigeria, Tanzania and Botswana as the favorite team. The tournament were one of the most interesting one with many upsets happening. The greatest dark horses of the tournament were Ghana who not only came second and qualified with 6 victories out of 8 but on course defeated the 2 tournament favorites Tanzania and Botswana. They were defeated by tournament winners and another dark horses of tournament Sierra Leone. Peter Kirtsen showed why he is one of the best coaches who led the war ravaged country on a brilliant performance with 5 wins out of 8. They on course defeated the qualifiers Ghana along with tournament favorites Tanzania. They had a performance and the potential showed they have the potential to go ahead. Tanzania and Botswana did not live up to expectations with losses to Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone.

The tournament showed that if these teams are given more matches then we have an improved performances. In the end Nigeria with just 1 loss to Botswana along with Ghana qualified for Division 1. This tournament was the most interesting one

Team	Played	Points
Nigeria	8	14
Ghana	8	12
Botswana	8	12
Tanzania	8	10
Sierra Leone	8	10
Swaziland	8	6
Mozambique	8	4
Malawi	8	2
Rwanda	8	2

Nigeria and Ghana qualify for Africa FDiv 1 and Rwanda goes back to Div 3.