Cricket: Team UNN Are Champions Of 8th South East Chuma Anosike Cup

The University of Nigeria (UNN) Cricket Team have emerged champions after beating Team Anambra by 90 runs at the end of the 8th South East Cricket Championship for Chuma Anosike Cup.

At the end of the 1st innings of the 15 overs, the first place match played at Government Secondary School, Afipko, UNN scored 143 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 15 overs in a match that featured a lot of 4s and 6s.

Okafor Somto scored 43 runs off 32 balls while Ogbue Chuka scored 23runs off 10 balls. Kanu Onyeka, Udekwe Emelie, Ejindu Chisom and Diobi Ebuka, Ifediora Emanuel got one wicket each.

In the second innings, Anambra put up stiff resistance but seemed to have crumbled in the course of their quest for victory due to, perhaps, the huge total facing them.

Anambra batted 90 runs all out in 11.4 overs. Tabansi Onyeka batted 28 runs off 20 balls while Nwosu Chinecherem played 24 runs off 13 balls.

Somto Okafor got 5 wickets to top the bowling, thus helping his team clinch the title of the 8th South East Cricket Championship for the Chuma Anosike Cup.

In the third place match, Ebonyi batted first and scored 112 runs in the allotted 10 overs. Igbo Chukwuemeka scored 16 runs off 17 balls. Obiegbulam Jessey got 2 wickets.

Abia started chasing in the second innings but could only score 51 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the allotted 10 overs. Onuegbu Enyinnaya scored 16 runs off 23 balls while Samuel Favour batted 15 runs (not out) off 13 balls. Okongwu Thompson got two wickets to secure a win for his team. Ebonyi won by 61 runs to take the 3rd place position in the 8th South East Cricket Championship for Chuma Anosike Cup.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the president of Nigeria Cricket Federation represented by the National Development Manager, Southern Nigeria, Mr. Tonye Timinadi felicitated with the South-East for the wonderful initiative of Barr. Chuma Anosike which has provided more playing opportunities for cricketers in the south-east and for creating a platform for talent discovery.

He encouraged the sponsor to continue with the same spirit which will definitely take the game of cricket to the next level in the zone.

Also speaking, the sponsor, Barrister Chuma Anosike congratulated the players pointing out his vision of having SuperSport covering in the future. He thanked the organizers and the LOC as well as all the companies that sponsored in various ways, stressing the potential that cricket has in the south-east will grow even stronger.

The tournament kicked off on Thursday April 5th at Government Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State after teams arrived on the 4th for the most anticipated cricket fiesta. The five states in the South East namely, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states participated in the championship which started in the year 2011. This year’s tourney featured the maiden edition of the female version and three states Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo states produced female teams.

In the female category, Anambra female team beat Ebonyi state team by 6 wickets to become the champions, while Ebonyi came second in this category.

The finals was played at Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Ebonyi state after the competition could not continue at the Government Secondary Owerri, Imo state due to the decision by the LOC to disqualify the Imo state Team 1 for fielding ineligible players after the LOC confirmed allegations about the players even though rules of engagement was sent more than a month before the competition to every state in the region.

Highlight of the closing ceremony included the presentation of medals, plaques, souvenirs and trophies to the participants.

Many players bagged various awards in various categories.
i. Batsman of the series – Tabansi Onyeka
ii. Bowler of the series – Okafor Somto
iii. Fielder of the series – Obiegbula Jesse
iv. Wicket Keeper of the series – Ogbue Chuka
v. Cricketer of the series – Izekwe Kossisochukwu
vi. Best Behaved Team – Abia State Team.