Uyi Akpata, the new President of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), has assured cricket stakeholders they would witness giant strides in the sport.

“The last four years have witnessed giant strides in cricket and we think it was unanimous then. But now we need to explore the potential further.

“We have set five significant objectives for ourselves. First is increasing the number at the grassroots. We are committed to introducing the game to 250,000 kids each year.

“Second is increasing our rankings, third is constructing facilities, fourth is building partnerships and, lastly, putting in place good governance structure that will attract sponsors,” Akpata added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akpata emerged president of NCF on Thursday in Abuja after contesting unopposed at the 2021 National Sports Federation’s elections.

Akpata, who was the federation’s immediate-past vice-president and the South-South representative on the board, secured 11 votes from the 11 accredited voters.

Meanwhile, Obalola Oyewale, a member of the immediate-past board also, has emerged as the vice-president of NCF unopposed.

In the other elections conducted on Thursday in Abuja, Kelvin Erhumwmunse was re-elected president of Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN).

This was after he defeated Kafilat Olalere with nine votes from the available 12.

Muhammed Baba-Inuwa was also re-elected unopposed as vice-president of GFN.