The Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF), Government College Ibadan Cricket Council (GCICC) and the management of Government College Ibadan (GCI) have commended Contec Global for donating cricket equipment to support grassroots development of the sport in Nigeria.

The commendation was made during the handover ceremony at the school, where the NCF President, Uyi Akpata, represented by a board member, Endurance Ofem, described the donation as a significant contribution to the growth of cricket, particularly among young Nigerians.

Akpata said the equipment would support the federation’s efforts to expand participation in cricket through schools and state cricket associations.

“Our target is reaching over 250,000 new cricketers every year. What we have tried to do is take the game through the State Cricket Associations and now through alma maters, with GCI becoming one of those big hubs,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to representatives of Contec Global, Atul Saraf and Tunde Ayansanwo, as well as GCI alumnus, Wilfred Ighodaro, for facilitating the donation.

Ighodaro, who facilitated the donation, said he approached his friend, Dr Berry, for support and that the equipment was subsequently procured and donated to the school.

He said the initiative went beyond providing sporting equipment, noting that cricket could be used to promote discipline, patience, honesty, respect for rules and sportsmanship among students.

“This is not just about providing sports equipment but an avenue to use cricket to teach our boys to be gentlemen, to learn discipline, patience, honesty and respect for laws and sportsmanship,” Ighodaro said.

Vice Chairman of the GCI Cricket Council, Ladipo Idowu, said the school had a long history of producing players for Nigeria’s national cricket teams at both junior and senior levels.

“Over the past seven decades, GCI has been the veritable supply vessel of youngsters for the Nigerian national cricket teams at both the junior and senior levels,” he said.

Idowu listed former GCI students, including Chris Enahoro, Jide Bademosi, Kola Mosogu, Bayo Ayodebi, Deji Otegbeye and Seyi Fadahunsi, among those who represented Nigeria at the national level, with some serving as captains or vice-captains.

He expressed appreciation to Contec Global for the donation and assured the company that the equipment would be used to develop young talents.

“On behalf of the GCI Cricket Council, I express our most profound appreciation and gratitude to Contec Global for the donation of the wonderful cricket equipment. I assure you that they will be judiciously used to develop talents,” Idowu said.

Speaking on behalf of Contec Global, Atul Saraf said the donation was also intended to strengthen the relationship between India and Nigeria through sport.

“As an Indian, cricket is not just a game, it is an emotion that connects people beyond borders,” Saraf said.

He urged the young players to demonstrate teamwork, discipline and respect for their opponents.

“To all cricket players here today, my message is simple, play with passion, support your teammate, respect your opponent and always give your best. It is our hope as a company that the donation would inspire young players into future champions,” he said.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of GCI, the Principal, Olugbemi Oresegun, thanked Contec Global for the gesture and assured the company that the equipment would be properly maintained and fully utilised.

“We are deeply grateful to Contec Global for this thoughtful donation of cricket equipment to our school. I wish to assure you that this equipment will go a long way in deepening the interest of our students in the game of cricket both for excellence in sports and character development,” Oresegun said.