Cricket: Edo first lady to grace Super 4 in Benin

Betsy Obaseki, the wife of Edo state governor, will be attending the third edition of the south-south female Cricket League Super 4 in Benin City.

The event is slated to run from Friday to Sunday and will also have Yusuf Alli, the chairman of the Edo state sports commission, in attendance.

Billed for the Center of Excellence for Women’s Cricket at Iyoba College, Benin City, the Super 4 would have Idia Royals, Pathfinders Cricket Club, Smashers Cricket Club and Adolo Amazons Cricket competing for honours in a T20 format.

Uyi Akpata, chairman of Edo state cricket association who is also president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said the competitors have proven themselves as the topmost clubs in the south-south.

“All the clubs grew out of the quest to draw a new path for cricket development and today, among other things, we are celebrating the rise of female cricket in Nigeria,” Akpata said.

“The south-south has continually been the powerhouse for cricket because of the commitment of the governments of states in the region, as well as the passion of cricket enthusiasts to grow the sport,” he also said.

According to Akpata, the Edo first lady’s involvement signifies her her role in encouraging the girl-child’s engagement in social development and reforms in the state over the years.

On his part, Leke Oyede, the female national team coach, said the Super 4 will help the national team players get more playing time while discovering new talents for the coaching crew.

“We have some players that have used the event to hone their skills, but more important is the level of competition and playtime these events have afforded most of the national team players,” Oyede said.

The female national team would feature at the NCF Women’s T20 Invitation later in February in Lagos and the Africa Games in Ghana next month.