South-West states set for Bademosi Boys Cricket Championship

Posted : 19 March 2026

The Coordinator of the 7th Bademosi Boys Cricket Championships, Okon Ukpong, says all South-West states will participate in the tournament.

Ukpong said that the championship would hold from April 7 to April 11 at the Liberty Stadium.

The annual competition is designed to promote grassroots cricket development in the region.

Ukpong said that aside from the competition, there would be training sessions to educate coaches and players on modern cricket techniques.

“Day one will be dedicated to educating and training cricket coaches on the latest techniques to enhance performance at the international level.

“We will also include team captains in the sessions so they can understand current trends in the game and pass the knowledge to their teammates.

“The initiative will ensure uniform development among participants and improve overall standards.

“The participants should look forward to another exciting edition. Education remains key to improving sports performance as a nation.

“The more people we train, the better our chances of producing improved cricketers,” Ukpong said.

He noted that all South-West states had indicated interest and confirmed participation in the championship.

Ukpong added that teams would receive monetary rewards to encourage participation and sustain interest in the sport.

He, however, decried the low level of cricket development in the South-West, attributing it to poor government support.

“Cricket development in the region is largely driven by individuals who fund activities in their respective states.

“It is an expensive sport that requires significant funding, but there is little or no government support,” he said.

Ukpong cited efforts in Oyo State to develop the sport at the school level, including initiatives in some schools.

He expressed hope that the new South-West zonal representative on the federation’s board would engage state governments to support cricket development.

“It is important for stakeholders to recognise the existence of cricket and take necessary steps to support its growth,” he said.

The 7th Bademosi Boys Cricket Championship in Ibadan aims to revitalize grassroots cricket across South-West Nigeria through competition and technical education. While Coordinator Okon Ukpong highlighted the commitment of participating states, he emphasized that sustainable growth depends on increased government funding and institutional support. The event remains a vital platform for discovering and training the next generation of Nigerian cricketers.

South-West states set for Bademosi Boys Cricket Championship

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