The Nigeria Cricket Federation, North Central Cricket Grassroots Development, in conjunction with the Plateau State Cricket Association, has taken its ‘Catch Them Young’ mandate to primary and secondary schools within the jos metropolis.
This is in view of institutionalising the game in the hearts of the Young ones so as make them professionals in the game.
The programme saw the coaches taking the campaign to Bilgade High School,Abattoir, Police Childrens School Jos, and RCM Primary school Giring Abattoir.
Coaches Aliyu Magaji and Samson Yarima,introduced the game of Cricket to the students with demonstrations of the game.
The students were taught the Basics of Batting, Bowling and fielding by the coaches and were later enjoined to put to practice what they have learnt.
Coach Aliyu who is the lead coach, observed the excitement of the students and the tremendous interest already built in them, said ‘it is obvious the children will take the game of Cricket seriously,with what they have demonstrated and shown, this is the reason the Federation proposed this ‘Catch Them Young’ mandate to boost their interest and make the game known to many’.
Appreciating the NCF, the Games Master of Bilgade High School, Mr Sunday James, was full of appreciation for the programme as he assured that the drive will continue till the students master the game.and some of rhem take it as a career.
Mr Sunday enthused that ‘ I must say a very big thank you to the Plateau Cricket Association and the Nigeria Cricket Federation for this laudable programme to teach our young ones the game of Cricket and ‘Catch Them Young’, we are grateful and we’ll never relent until these children pick it up as a profession’.
The ‘Catch Them Young’ mandate targets the children between the ages of 5-13 years.
Thereafter, the Chairman of the Cricket Association in the State, Mr Inusa Dayok, said the advocacy will continue and will lead to School Competitions within the Primary schools in the grassroots and Secondary schools too.
Credit:Nathaniel Mobolade.
Media Officer,
PSCA.
