UK-Based NGO, Nigeria Cricket Federation Donate Cricket Kits To Taraba

Taraba State's cricket team, Team Taraba, received a significant boost on Friday with the donation of cricket kits and developmental equipment from the UK-based NGO, Community for Sports and Educational Development Innovative (CSEDI), and the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF). The donation ceremony took place at the Taraba State Sports Council in Jalingo.

CSEDI, an organization dedicated to promoting sports and encouraging children to engage in reading, sent the cricket kits through the Director of the Sports Council, Mr. George ShitaHaruna, who played a pivotal role in securing the equipment for the state.

In his address, Mr. Shita, who is also a Board member of the Nigeria Badminton Federation, expressed gratitude to CSEDI for equipping the state's cricket team with world-class gear. He described the donation as a milestone in the development of cricket in the state and urged the team's coach to make the best use of the new equipment to nurture young talent and secure victories in upcoming national events. He further assured the team that the Sports Council would closely monitor the use of the donated items.

Shita attributed the donation to the hard work of the cricket players and acknowledged that CSEDI had previously supported the state's netball team. He also revealed that CSEDI had pledged to extend their support to the state's badminton team in the future. Additionally, Shita presented developmental equipment from the Nigeria Cricket Federation to the team and thanked the NCF for their continued support.

The Director emphasized that the growth of the state's sports sector is largely due to the dedication and passion of Governor Agbu Kefas for youth empowerment. He highlighted that, under Governor Kefas' leadership, Taraba State had made significant strides in national competitions. This included a remarkable participation in the 2024 National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, where the state sent 165 athletes and earned medals in various sports, including cricket.

"We introduced cricket in the state just four years ago, and we were able to defeat Lagos State, which had been playing the game long before the creation of Taraba. This is a testament to the commitment of our players," Shita said, acknowledging Governor Kefas for providing a conducive environment for youth development in sports.

The Acting Coach of the Taraba Cricket Team, Freeman Godwin, expressed deep gratitude for the generous donation. He pledged to use the kits responsibly and promised to continue representing the state proudly in national and international competitions. "We are incredibly grateful to CSEDI and the Nigeria Cricket Federation for their support. The red ball, which we had never seen before, is now in our hands, and it will make a huge difference in our training," said Godwin.

The Secretary of the Taraba State Sports Council, Mr. Sa'adAbubakar Zongre, also weighed in, noting that the donation would be instrumental in the team's success. He encouraged the players to remain focused, confident, and resilient, with the goal of becoming national and international cricket stars.

The Captains of the male and female cricket teams, Favor Malami and Garba Ahmed, also expressed their appreciation for the support, praying for continued success for CSEDI and the Nigeria Cricket Federation. They reaffirmed their commitment to making Taraba State proud through their dedication to the sport.

The donated items from CSEDI included cricket bats, helmets, balls, hand gloves, and pads, while the Nigeria Cricket Federation contributed additional developmental equipment to further support the team's growth.