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In line with the renewed vigour of the Nigeria Cricket
Federation to grow the game in the country, there is need to teach the teachers
who will be sent to the grassroots to help revitalise the game amongst the
younger generation.

As part of this vision, Federal Government College, Warri Old
Students Association Cricket Club came up with a strategised concept to help
elevate the game of cricket in Delta State. This programme involved training
games masters of schools within the state to enable them raise players for the
various national teams in their respective schools.

The club organized a cricket coaching seminar for games masters
in Warri zone. This zone covered the following local government areas; Warri
South, Udu and Uvwie. There were 10 schools represented and they include:
Ovwian Sec. School, Army Day Sec. School, Hussey College, Glory of Christ
Comprehensive School, Otor-Udu Sec. School, Essi College Junior School 1, Essi
College Junior School 3, Federal Government College, Warri, DSC Technical High
School and Urhobo College.

No knowledge of the game

It was not a surprise that over 80% of the various games masters
in attendance had little or no idea of the game. Cricket was therefore
introduced to them at a basic level. They also had the opportunity of seeing
and feeling cricket equipment such as bats, stumps, balls, etc. An interactive
session was then organized with the participants also which included their
input into about what they knew about the game. Participants were then exposed
to video sessions.

They watched the video,
Sports Science on Cricket, which is also the Biomechanics of Cricket, and also
Wings to Fly with Ogbimi Uthe, Ikemefuna Chinedu and Okoro Blessing explaining
as they watched. Participants also made their observations known as they
watched these videos by asking questions which was immediately dealt with by
the instructors. They also had motivational talks delivered by coordinator of
Warri Cricket Club, Nkanteen Usen.

Participants also had practical session on the field. They were
taken through the basics of batting, bowling and fielding in cricket. They were
shown and taught what to pass across to their kids. The participants also had
their first feel of a match situation. This was achieved by dividing them into
two teams. The participants then applied what they had learnt during the
sessions they had gone through. They were also taken to see a cricket pitch and
practice net.

This was to enable them have an idea of what to do if they
intended setting up theirs in their school. The cricket laws was then read and
explained to the participants. Participants were then encouraged to do their
best in raising a team for their school as an inter-secondary schools
competition was in the works to take place in February 2011. They were however
implored to call on any of the instructors if they had challenges as they
gather and coach their students.

The seminar rounded off with the handing over of practice materials to the
participating schools. These included makeshift bats, practice stumps and lawn
tennis balls, in addition to cricket DVDs.