Cricket: Jubilation as Ebonyi displaces Imo, wins South-east tourney



Ebonyi state team has defeated its Anambra counterparts to win the
second edition of the South-east Secondary School championship held at
the Union Secondary School, Enugu.

Ebonyi which was represented by Government Secondary School Afikpo,
scored 55 runs in 14.4 ovals to defeat Anambra which scored 54 runs in
15 ovals.

The championship was competed by five schools from four south-eastern
states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi. Imo state finished third.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung commended the organisers
for successfully organising the championship.

The minister represented by South-east zonal Coordinator of the ministry, Mrs Jane Owoh, said sports  ministry would assist in subsequent editions of the championship which has provided an avenue for the young cricketers to display their skills.

“I commend the championship’s sponsor, Chika Okoro for his passion and
commitment towards its success of and urge other philanthropists to
emulate him,” he said.

“The private sector should assist the government in developing sports
in the zone and country, as sports create employment for the youths
and make them not engage in crimes.

He stated that the ministry acknowledged Okoro’s contributions to the
growth of cricket and other sports in the zone.

The championship sponsor, Chika Okoro, congratulated the players,
coaches, umpires and other officials for a successful organisation and
urged the players to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of the game.

His charge: “You should listen to your coaches to strengthen you, correct your
mistakes and realise your ambitions of representing the country in
international competitions.

“When this format is completed, we would hold a two- day finals on a
50-50 oval matches as my target is to make male cricket teams from the
zone win at the National Youth games just as their female
counterparts.

Okoro said the championship’s  2020 edition would hold on a league basis with participating teams visiting one another in a round robin basis.

Former Commissioner of Youth and Sports in Imo state,  Tony Ajaelu,
commended the high level of technicality shown by the players and
hailed the coaches for impacting positively on the players.

The former commissioner who led former champions Imo state to the
championship, stated that the state would ensure that it reclaimed the
title which it surrendered to Ebonyi state.

Ebonyi state coach, Jephtar Ugwu, attributed the victory to God and said the team would work harder to maintain the achieved success.



Ebonyi officials savour vital victory

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