The programme, held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the school’s sports field, was organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ebonyi State chapter, in collaboration with the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF).
It forms part of broader efforts to expand cricket’s footprint across secondary schools in the state and nurture emerging talents from the grassroots.
The training session also serves as a prelude to the 2026 zonal cricket competition being planned by SWAN in partnership with the federation, as stakeholders intensify efforts to strengthen the sport’s developmental pathway in the region.
No fewer than 150 male students participated in the maiden session, which featured basic cricket drills, orientation on the rules of the game, and practical demonstrations on batting, bowling, and fielding techniques.
The exercise was supervised by officials of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, alongside the school’s Games Master, Vice Principal, representatives of the Ebonyi State Cricket Association, and other sports administrators.
Speaking during the event, Chairman of SWAN in Ebonyi State, Comrade Nwogha Ndubuisi, commended the management of Knight of Saint John Technical College for creating an enabling environment for the sport to thrive within the school community.
Nwogha who was represented by the association’s Vice Chairman, Mrs Blessing Igidi, described the reintroduction of cricket as a strategic move toward promoting discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship among students.
He noted that engaging students in structured sporting activities not only enhances their physical development but also exposes them to opportunities within the wider sporting ecosystem.
Also speaking, an official of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Jeffta Ugwu, who supervised the training, encouraged the students to approach the sport with commitment and enthusiasm, stressing that cricket offers a viable pathway to national and international sporting opportunities.
Ugwu reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to grassroots development through sustained training programmes, school-based competitions, and talent identification initiatives designed to groom the next generation of cricket stars.
Sports administrators present at the event said the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to identify promising young cricketers capable of representing Ebonyi State—and potentially Nigeria—in future regional, national, and international competitions.
With the successful reintroduction of cricket at Knight of Saint John Technical College, stakeholders expressed optimism that similar programmes across other schools in the state will further stimulate interest in the sport and deepen its grassroots presence.
