Captain of national senior women’s cricket team, Blessing Etim, has commended the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) on quality camping for the team in Benin ahead of the six-nation Women’s T20i Invitational to be held in Lagos.
Etim and 35 others were in Edo Boys High School Adolor, a high-performance center in Benin since February 27 for the first phase camp in preparations for the tournament.
The camp was closed on Wednesday, with 17 players expected to proceed to Lagos from March 14 for the final phase of camping.
“The camp was good and impactful,” the Uyo-based Etim explained.“ I must commend the NCF, most importantly Mr Uyi Akpata, the president of the federation.
“He is the pillar of women’s cricket and we are so blessed to have in the helm of affairs at this time.
“Through his leadership, we had lots of coaches, close to 10 of them in Benin. Every coach with their expertise and had a lot to offer from their respective fields.
“We also had coach Uthe Ogbimi of Nigeria’s Under 19 male team, who was also there to impact his knowledge.
“The team in camp, was divided into three, two coaches for each team aside other coaches who resided in Edo that joined the camp as well.
“I got a lot of feedback from the players about the coaches. They will motivate you and you won’t realize that you have jogged 10 rounds in the pitch.
“All the coaches around did a great job in terms of exercise, game plan, strategies and all, so it was an eventful camp in Benin.’’
Ahead of the six-nation T20i Invitational, the captain said she is prepared for the challenge ahead.
“Right now, our team has been expanded when it comes to batting and bowling. A lot of potentials are in the team to help us win any match.
“Our plan is simply to have a positive mind-set, play as a team and show good cricket. We are playing at home and will definitely do the country proud.’’
Meanwhile, Ghana, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, Rwanda and Cameroon will feature in the tournament at the renovated Tafawa Balewa Cricket Pitch in Lagos between March 26 and April 4