Cricket Enthusiast Reaffirms Commitment to Grassroots Development

Posted : 19 November 2025

A cricket enthusiast in Ebonyi State, Chika Okoro, has explained why he frequently sponsors state athletes to national cricket competitions whenever the government is unable to do so.

Okoro said his primary motivation is to ensure the players do not become inactive due to a lack of competitive opportunities. Over the years, he has consistently funded the participation of Ebonyi’s cricket teams in national events whenever government support was unavailable.

A recent example was at the last National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, where the cricket team he sponsored became Ebonyi’s only contingent at the event.

Okoro, who serves as the South-East Representative on the Nigeria Cricket Federation board, described it as troubling to see his state absent from national competitions. The former Nigerian cricket international noted that his greatest inspiration comes from watching young cricketers he groomed display their talent on a national stage.

He explained that he established a scholarship scheme in memory of his late wife to support young female cricketers in both their education and sporting pursuits.

“When I see these athletes train for months and the state cannot sponsor them, the passion I have for the sport moves me to take responsibility,” Okoro said. “I personally fund their camping, and I cannot bear to see them miss competitions, which would make their efforts go to waste.”

According to him, many of the cricketers he mentored have grown into national stars and excel academically, bringing him immense satisfaction.

“We have built formidable male and female cricket teams for Ebonyi, and they have remained consistent medal contenders in both regional and national competitions,” he added. “Since 2012, when I became involved in sports development in the state, we have won several gold and silver medals. Teams across Nigeria remain cautious when they face Ebonyi in any tournament.”

Okoro also revealed that he works with cricket experts to identify talented players from primary and secondary schools, then nurtures them into champions.

He noted that although the state government has not formally acknowledged his contributions, he remains unbothered. “The gratitude from the young cricketers is enough,” he said. “Seeing them taken off the streets and finding purpose in life is my greatest fulfillment.”

Okoro emphasized that he does not require much from the government, only a commitment to sustain the development blueprint he has put in place. He added that financial limitations have prevented him from including male cricketers in his scholarship scheme.

Cricket Enthusiast Reaffirms Commitment to Grassroots Development

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