Ambode preaches cricket’s values as World Cup trophy arrives in Lagos

The Cricket World Cup trophy, which has been on a global tour of cities ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup scheduled for the United Kingdom in June, was received in Lagos yesterday by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The trophy arrived in Nigeria through Abuja on Monday before moving to Lagos yesterday.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand cricket deeply because it has a lot of values that can be learnt from it. As a former Cricketer, which I played way back in secondary school, I appreciate the game and I look forward to seeing more young people learn from the game,” he said

Governor Ambode said he was pleased that the International Cricket Council chose Lagos as the only state apart from the Federal Capital to host the sport’s most prized silverware in the country.

“It is indeed an honour to be the only Governor to host the Trophy in the country,” he said.

Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) President, Professor Yahaya Ukwenya had earlier in his opening remarks referred to the state as the “Cricket Capital” of Nigeria, adding that the support from the state was one of the reasons the ICC selected Nigeria as one of the three destinations for the Trophy Tour on the continent.

“We are indeed very grateful for the support that Lagos State has extended to the federation and it is one of the reasons we are enjoying this rare priviledge of hosting the Trophy,” he said.

The trophy will be displayed at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval today for the viewing pleasure of sports enthusiasts and members of the cricket community.