By Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Cricket Association has taken steps to promote the game of cricket among young people, partnering with Community Secondary School (CSS) Famgbe to stage a cricket exhibition during the school’s inter-house sports competition.
The event, held on March 5, 2026, featured the Head Coach of the Bayelsa State Cricket Association, Rev. Tonye Ayamah, and the Association’s Secretary, Mr. Kenneth Richard, who collaborated with the school’s Principal, Mr. Evhela Eluan, to introduce the sport to students and members of the community.
The inter-house sports event attracted several prominent personalities from the community and across Bayelsa State, providing an opportunity for the association to showcase cricket and educate attendees about the sport.
Speaking at the event, Rev. Ayamah explained that the initiative was aimed at creating greater awareness of cricket while also providing students an opportunity to display the skills they had acquired through coaching.
According to him, about 80 percent of the students who recently represented the zone in a zonal elimination competition were drawn from CSS Famgbe, and their performance inspired the association to further develop the talents within the school.
He described cricket as a sport that instills discipline, teamwork and focus among players.
“Cricket is a game that teaches strategy, teamwork and determination. Beyond producing athletes, it helps to shape the moral character of young people,” he said.
The Principal of Community Secondary School Famgbe, Mr. Evhela Eluan, commended the Ministry of Sports for supporting the development of cricket in the state and for deploying experienced representatives of the Nigerian Cricket Federation to train interested students.
He described the event as a privilege for the school, noting that it provided an avenue for students to showcase their talents in the sport.
He also expressed the school’s readiness to collaborate with the Sports Council to host similar events in the future.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Cricket Association, Mr. Kenneth Richard, said the programme was designed to create awareness about cricket within the community and encourage more young people to participate in the sport.
“The aim is to educate the community about the beauty of the game and let them know that cricket has arrived in their community. It is also an invitation to anyone who is interested in learning and participating,” he said.
Students of the school thrilled spectators when the cricket match commenced, displaying impressive knowledge of the game gained through the training provided by the association.
One of the players, Emmanuel Dominion, an SS1 student who plays as a wicketkeeper for his team, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate.
He noted that playing cricket had already exposed him to opportunities to travel and compete on larger platforms.
The association also called on the government and well-meaning individuals to support the growth of cricket by providing facilities and creating more spaces for the sport.
At the end of the event, the Bayelsa State Cricket Association donated cricket equipment and playing kits to the school.
The items were presented by Mr. Richard on behalf of the Ministry of Sports and the association’s head coach as part of efforts to sustain the development of cricket in the school and the community.
