Nigeria: The future is now for Nigeria's Howzat Foundation for Cricket

Cricket was reportedly dying in Nigeria in the early 1990s until a group of enthusiasts, keen to see the game develop at the grassroots level came together and decided to do something about it - and the Howzat Foundation was born.

The Foundation and its members have since become an inrtegral part of the game in a nation widely regarded as the sleeping giant of African cricket.

After starting out as a private organisation responsible for numerous initiatives aimed at promoting the game's growth, its members are now in the main stream of cricket establishment occupying key roles in the Nigeria Cricket Association.

Please click on the links for further info on the Howzat Foundation.

Introduction
Mission Statement & Goals
Structure
Developmental & Promotional Work
Training Programs
Competitions
Other Activities

Introduction

The Howzat Foundation For Cricket is a private, non-profit sports organisation, committed to the development and promotion of cricket in Nigeria, especially at the grass roots level.

The Foundation came into existence in 1991 at a time that cricket, almost dead in the country, needed a boost.

The Nigeria Cricket Association, the official government body charged with the administration of cricket in the country, is fully aware of our existence. Together, on a number of occasions, we have collaborated to expand the frontiers of the game, not only domestically but internationally.

Because the Foundation recognises the unique features of cricket as a moulder of character, effort is not spared to include in our programmes workshop and seminars on topical issues like AIDS, reproductive and adolescent health, career counselling and cultism. These programmes, especially the annual holiday cricket coaching clinic in August, bring together many students from Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions.

As a private non-profit organisation, we rely entirely on friends of cricket, individuals, international and corporate bodies for material and financial support to run our numerous programmes. It was in recognition of our objectives that in the past the British, Australian and South African High Commissions gave financial and material support to our programmes.

The International Cricket Council, through its African Development Manager, Hoosain Ayob, has donated bat shapes and rubber balls for our programmes in 1999.

As part of efforts to contribute to the development and promotion of cricket in Nigeria, the Foundation, in September 2000, took a team of youngsters on a playing and educational tour of England. This year (2001), we are planning, in conjunction with Hoosain Ayob and Ahmed Cassum an under 19 tour.

:Mission Statement & Goals

To develop and promote the game of cricket in Nigeria to international standard by:-

(a) encouraging the playing of cricket amongst youths
(b) collaborating with cricket authorities in Nigeria to improve the standard
(c) working with individuals and corporate bodies to nurture and support the game of cricket
(d) empowering the members of the Foundation and cricketers in general to demonstrate excellence in life through cricket

Goals

Structure of the Foundation:

Board of Trustees
1. Chairman - Professor Osato Giwa Osagie
2. Vice Chairman - Dr John Abebe
3. Chief Executive - Dr. Micheal Ayivor
4. Secretary - Mr. Olisa Egwuatu
5. Member - Mr. Busuyi Onabolu
6. Member - Chief Chris Okunowo
7. Member - Mr. Kola Ojutalayo
8. Member - Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour

Membership is spread through seven states of Nigeria and we have some sponsors from corporate bodies and a few individuals. Office staff and cricket coaches are employed, and foremost among those youth coaches are Endurance Ofem and Onome Oghenekevwe.

The Nigeria Cricket Association new executive board:
Three trustees and four other partners of the Foundation are now members of the NCA, the governing body that regulates cricket in the country. They include the following: Chairman - Dr. John Abebe; Members - Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Mr. Olisa Egwuatu, Mr. Chima Anosike, Alhaji Umar Abiba-Gana, Mr. Yusuf N'jie, Mr. Pat Opara

Developmental and Promotional Work

This has been the main thrust of efforts for the past 10 years, and so far it has been a monumental success. We are the only organisation in Nigeria to be involved in developmental work at the grass roots level. Evidence of this is:

Training programs

Competitions

Other Activities

Publications

Equipment