No security challenges, NCF assures participants as Nigeria host ICC Africa U-19 cricket world cup qualifiers

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) have assured of maximum security that there are no security challenges as Nigeria host the International Cricket Council Africa U19 Division 2 World Cup qualifiers in Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja next month.

NCF said for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give Nigeria the right to host the qualifiers proves that the world cricket body is satisfied with the security architecture in place.

In a statement by the NCF Public Relations Officer, Musa Ehizoje, on Monday, to newsmen, he stressed that one of the reasons ICC considered Nigeria to host the qualifiers is because the body is comfortable with Nigeria’s security details.

“There are no challenges with regards to security,” Ehizoje said.

“Before any country will be given the right to host any tournament, ICC must be comfortable with your security plan and they are comfortable with our security details,” he reiterated.

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The NCF PRO claimed that Nigeria prides itself in the areas of establishing the best security architecture in competitive tournaments, both local and international, as the country has never been found wanting of security breaches.

Ehizoje added, “Nigeria can boast of the best security architecture in hosting tournaments as there has never been a case where there are security threats in our competitions both local and international.”

He clarified that Nigeria hosting the Africa U19 Cricket World Cup qualifiers is not mind-blogging as the country was once awarded the right by ICC to host T20 Qualifier A in 2018 in Lagos.

Ehizoje also acknowledged the NCF’s cricket grassroots development initiative which plays a vital role in ICC considerations to award Nigeria the right to host cricket tourneys.

“This is not the first time Nigeria is hosting an ICC qualifier. We hosted the T20 Qualifier A in 2018 in Lagos,” said the NCF PRO.

“This will be the second time and it is because the world cricket governing body has seen what Nigeria is doing with regards to grassroots cricket development,” he added.

Ehizoje, in defending why the Moshood Abiola national stadium was selected as the venue for the Africa U19 cricket world cup qualifiers, claimed that the stadium contains twin pitches which are turf wickets.

He added that as a 50 overs competition, the minimum requirement is to have two pitches close to each other which the national stadium in Abuja contains.

He continued: “Abuja also provides a natural solution to host the competition because of the twin pitches at the stadium and both are turf wickets.

“This is a 50 overs competition and you will require a minimum of two pitches at close proximity and that’s why Abuja has been chosen,” he asserted.

Ehizoje, however, underlined that Nigeria is ready to host the 12-day tournament which is slated from 28 September to 9 October, adding that preparations are in top gear to ensure the event leaves a lasting remark worthy of commendations.

“Nigeria is very ready to host the tournament. The most important aspect of hosting a tournament is already in place, which are the grounds,” he assured.

Eight nations including Nigeria are expected to compete in the qualifiers.