Ex-governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday attended the commissioning of the turf wicket of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) cricket oval in the state.
The facility was shut 18 months ago to facilitate its upgrade from concrete bowling strips to grass.
It was Ambode’s first public function in a long while as political activities take shape ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Ambode revealed in an Instagram post on Monday that cricket was a game he enjoyed playing when he was much younger.
“This is a game I played when I was much younger and I encourage our youths to embrace the soft life skills especially discipline that cricket and other sports teach as they are critical to success in any life endeavour,” he said.
At the event, the former governor said cricket is crucial to the socio-economic development of nations if its potentials are properly harnessed.
He added that the upgrade of the facility would further boost efforts to develop cricket in Nigeria.
“I think critical to success in any endeavour in life are the soft skills that cricket teaches and we are very happy at the recent uptick in cricket development in Nigeria,” he said.
“This turf wicket compliments all the efforts of the administration in growing the sport and I believe we would in no time feel its impact.”
President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Uyi Akpata said the revamped facility would increase the number of top-flight cricket grounds in the country to seven in just one year.
“Facility upgrade scores very high on our agenda and the TBS oval is very critical in that sphere as it is Nigeria’s frontline facility,” he said.
Two games were played to mark the occasion.
