Chuma Anosike Counts Gains Of South-East Cricket Championship

Barrister Chuma Anosike believes that the journey which the annual South-East Cricket Championship for Chuma Anosike Cup began since 2011 has been a wonderful experience that has added values to the game in the region.

The eight edition of the tournament was concluded at the weekend at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi State. Enugu State, through the University of Nigeria (UNN) cricket team, emerged winners after defeating Anambra State by 90 runs.

Anosike told PM EXPRESS that the tournament which began with three states, Anambra, Imo and Enugu, is now being competed by all the states in the South – Eastern part of Nigeria.

“My joy is that the noble game of cricket is gradually becoming popular in our region. The Chuma Anosike Cup is growing since the first edition.

“I have been involved in Cricket for over 35 years as a player, administrator, facilitator and promoter. A few years ago when it became obvious that the game was not growing at the national level, I decided that a bottom up approach was necessary to develop the sport. I started a programme to develop the game in schools in Anambra State with Bishop Crowther Seminary, Akwa as the focal point.

“With the modest success we achieved in Anambra State, I decided to spread the game across the zone. In 2011, the first edition of South-East Cricket Tournament for the Chuma Anosike Cup was held in Owerri, Imo State. Since then to the glory of God, we have held a tournament in each of the five South-East State, ” the former Vice Chairman of Nigeria Cricket Federation under Dr John Abebe’s administration said.

He disclosed that this year’s event featured for the first time, a female competition to get the women involved in the championship.” Female Cricket is growing in Nigeria and we must encourage it, ” said the Chairman of Anambra State Cricket Association.

” We have, no doubt, been able to meet up with our set objectives. We have been able to develop and nurture talents who will go on to play for the national team from our zone and play first class Cricket someday. We are having 13 years player showing exceptional skills in this year’s competition. We are having good strike plays, good bowling and good tactical awareness.  I believe with constant batting and bowling, we should be able to develop the players all round in the game.

“I’m particularly happy that Abia State was able to win a match for the first time in the just concluded 8th edition. This showed that we are doing the right thing to bring cricket culture to every part of the zone. We want the level of development to  spread across the states as we have it Anambra and Enugu, Anosike said.

He, however, appealed to the governments in the South-East to continued supporting the cause by providing infrastructures and manpower development. He applauded the works of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC)  led by Emeka Igwilo for putting up an excellent competition.

To the National Development Manager, Southern Nigeria of Nigeria Cricket Federation, Mr. Tonye Timinadi, there has been steady improvement and development of cricket in the South-East. He noted that Chuma Anosike Cup has really helped the game with discovery of budding players while keeping the youths busy.

PM EXPRESS reports that male teams came from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu (UNN), and Imo Teams 1 and 2,while female teams were from Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu (UNN) and Imo.