By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Cricket has returned to St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, years after the once-famous school sport faded from the campus, following the launch of a revival initiative led by the St. Gregory’s College Old Boys Association, SGCOBA, in honour of its Emeritus President, Dr. John Abebe.

The initiative is aimed at restoring cricket to the centre of the College’s sporting culture through a one-year development plan that includes coaching, equipment support, youth training and preparations for intercollegiate competitions.

Old boys say the goal is not only to revive the game, but also to reconnect younger generations with the culture of discipline, teamwork and excellence that once defined cricket at the College.

A statement made available to journalists said the project was formally flagged off on Sunday at the College Cricket Grounds with the symbolic handover of cricket equipment donated by Dr. Abebe, widely regarded as one of the longest-standing patrons of cricket development in the College.

According to the statement, implementation of the project has already begun with the resumption of two cricket coaches whose engagement is being funded by another distinguished Gregorian backing the initiative, while cricket kits are also expected to be provided for the junior and senior teams that will emerge from the programme.

Organisers said the long-term vision is to build a competitive cricket programme capable of participating in the proposed Dr. John Abebe Lagos State Cricket Competition among legacy colleges, with plans to eventually expand it into a national intercollegiate championship.

The event drew old boys, students and cricket enthusiasts, many of whom reflected on a period when St. Gregory’s College was regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading school cricket institutions, producing generations of disciplined sportsmen during the golden era of intercollegiate sports in Lagos.

The SGCOBA Executive Committee, led by Francis Kudayah, said the return of cricket forms part of broader efforts to preserve the heritage of the College while investing in its future.

“Over the years, St. Gregory’s College has built a reputation for producing prominent figures in public service, business, religion and the judiciary, reinforcing the culture of excellence that supporters of the initiative say the cricket revival is intended to preserve,” the statement added.

For the first time in many years, the sound of bat meeting ball has returned to Greg’s; signalling the rebirth of a proud sporting legacy.