Nigeria’s recent fast-rising cricket development has received another boost as International Cricket Council (ICC) appointed a Nigerian cricket umpire among 9 officials selected to officiate the forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) to be hosted in Rwanda from 27th September to 7th October 2021.
The Nigerian umpire Mr Enesi Habib’s appointment as a member of the Playing Control Team, (PCT) expressed strong respect for the Nigeria Cricket Federation activities and effort at improving the game of cricket in Africa’s most populated country.
Cricket code of conduct for match officials has been famous for its strictness as cricket umpires must be individually renowned with honesty to maintain the game’s elitist tradition and Spirit of Cricket.
Mr Enesi Habib, immediate past Technical Director in Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Board has a standard reputation with proof of fairness and good judgement. Habib has been a critical player in Kaduna Crocodile cricket, a coach and respected umpire officiating top cricket matches within and outside Nigeria including June 2021 Kwibuka T20 tournament in Rwanda.
The six-footer and dark skin umpire wear a trademark smile that is agreeable to his encouraging judgment mostly outside the playing pitch. Habib first international assignment was in 2019 during the South Africa hosted CWC U19 finals.
Reaction to ICC duty call
Enesi Habib could not hide his feelings when our reporter called to seek authority for the rumour. “Am obviously excited. It is the dream of every umpire to officiate at higher levels and platforms. To be appointed by ICC to officiate an ICC event is always thrilling. Note that I was appointed to a similar event in 2019 in SA.
When an opportunity like this comes, the number of international matches one officiates increases, this would, in turn, boost one’s resume. I give God the glory and hope to receive more invites alongside my other colleagues in Nigeria in future.”
Career Aspiration
“My eyes have always been to officiate at higher levels, especially ICC organised tournaments. Am happy that it is happening. I need to work harder to stand a chance of being constantly invited.”
Mentors Enesi Habib look unto
I have many umpires I look up to and also love their styles of umpiring. Aleem Dar, Simone Taufel, Allahudien Palekar.”
Coping with cricket High Tech
Technology has come to stay in cricket. We as umpires need to be up to date with the numerous innovations. Technology, in my opinion, has come to make the umpires work easier. An umpire can quickly refer to the TV umpire, so he could make an informed decision. Players also are able to review some decisions of the umpires through DRS. So is a win-win situation. Remember that fairness and justice are key factors in umpiring. Technology would help achieve it.”
Current Nigerian progress report
“Cricket Development in Nigeria is a phenomenon. Talk of grassroots coaching through schools with the help of programs like Naija kids cricket sponsored by PwC, Accelerated growth program, an ICC/NCF program, and so many individual efforts going on in most parts of the country.”
Cricket facility hurdle
“Facility is one of the fundamental principles of the growth of cricket. Take a good look at the development strides facility wise, you would agree with me that cricket development is on the rise. From Abuja, to Edo, to Lagos, to Kaduna. Standard cricket turf pitches are springing up.
Compare Nigeria with Africa
In comparison to Rwanda and Namibia, I would say Nigeria has the potential to become one of Africa’s great cricket nations if the right policies are made both from the Government side, and that of the federation.
Advice to Players
There’s no shortcut to success. Hard work and commitment is key, garnished with passion and willingness to learn are key to improving the quality of our players, coaches and umpires. Thank you.
A welcome development
Former ICC Instructor to West African countries and former Nigeria Technical Director, Coach Okon Ukpong described Mr Enesi Habib appointment as a step in the right direction but appealed that the pathway is sustained as Nigeria’s cricket thrived.
“This appointment shows that our cricket is taking up and getting recognition. That is what I see. It means that the individual must come back to do some work so we can have more quality umpires. That backward integration requires a pathway for others to go that far. Facility wise we have done so much and the turf wickets being replicated over the country is quite commendable.” Okon Ukpong observed.
