By Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa Cricket Association has continued its grassroots sports development campaign with a fresh outreach to students of St. Mathias Catholic Group of Schools during the school’s annual inter-house sports competition in Bayelsa State.
The sporting event, held on March 7, 2026, witnessed the active participation of the Association’s Head Coach, Tonye Ayamah, and the Secretary, Kenneth Richard, who used the opportunity to promote cricket among students and encourage greater participation in the sport at the grassroots level.
Their presence added excitement to the event as they engaged the students, shared practical tips and motivated them to embrace sports as a pathway to personal development and future opportunities.
The programme attracted several dignitaries from the Catholic community, including Chairman of the occasion, Patrick Inedi; the Chief Host, Hyacinth Egbebo; the school’s Principal, Rosemary Edom; the PTA Chairman, Foundation Oba Ibadan; and the Education Director of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Kingsley Chukwuebuka Emesirim.
As part of efforts to strengthen cricket development in schools, the Association’s Secretary, Mr. Richard, presented cricket playing kits to the school on behalf of the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
The kits were received by the school principal, Rev. Rosemary Edom.
Speaking during the event, Rev. Edom expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa Cricket Association for supporting the school’s sporting activities and helping to nurture young talents.
“We are happy they are here. Their presence encourages the students to participate more actively in sports,” she said.
She further appealed for continued collaboration with the Association, especially in organizing future sporting events aimed at discovering and developing talents among students.
Also speaking, the PTA Chairman, Mr. Foundation Oba Ibadan, commended the Association for deploying experienced personnel to guide and coach the students, noting that such initiatives would help improve their sporting abilities.
He described the initiative as a strategic platform for sports authorities to identify promising young athletes at the grassroots level
.
In his remarks, the Education Director of the Catholic Diocese of Bomadi, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Chukwuebuka Emesirim, highlighted the importance of sports in the holistic development of children.
“Sports educates the body as books educate the mind,” he said, emphasizing the role of sports in shaping both the physical and mental wellbeing of young people.
Meanwhile, the Head Coach of the Bayelsa Cricket Association, Rev. Tonye Ayamah, assured that the initiative would be sustained as part of the Association’s commitment to improving sports development at the grassroots.
He noted that the programme is aimed at creating opportunities for young talents to be discovered, nurtured and given the platform to excel in cricket and other sporting activities.
