The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has formally signed a contract with first team players in the male and female national teams.
The signing, on Friday, was done on the sidelines at the ongoing NCF Women’s T20i Invitational tournament in Lagos.
At the signing, Uyi Akpata, the Pesident of the Federation, said the move was necessary to stabilise and give players some measure of incentive to improve their form of play.
“This is one step we have worked on so much, to be able to bring stability to the team and encourage our players to be able to keep their relevance on the national team.
“This contract is for both the male and female national team players and we are hoping it encourages them and more importantly becomes the springboard for sustainable team building,” Akpata added.
The NCF president also noted that the contract was in stages.
“The contract is in three levels; one that recognises members of the team who are pursuing a professional cricket career.
“Another contract recognises those not fully decided on professionalism or have other pursuits, and the third is for young players who are in school.
“The contract is hoped to help the players to have resources to leverage on for the demands that being on a national team put on them.
“They can on their own pay for gym sessions, be on proper diets, and at least meet basic needs required of them as national team players,” Akpata said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 18 players are on the first phase of the contract, while the second phase will admit 14 additional players, both of male and female, by July 1.
Speaking on behalf of the players, Sylvester Okpe, the national male team captain, said it was a major milestone for him and his colleagues, adding that the contract will challenge them to do more.
“I think the players on this contract know that this demands a bit more consistency of form and requires us to do more whenever we are called upon,” Okpe said.
The contract is said to be renewed after one year for the players.