FOUNDATION CRICKET CLUB CELEBRATES 40 YEARS ANNIVERSARY OF CRICKET IMPACT WITH LAUNCH OF FCC COFFEE TABLE BOOK AND AWARDS

The oldest and most successful Cricket Club in Nigeria Foundation Cricket Club (FCC) of
Lagos, over the weekend celebrated its 40th anniversary with the club executives,
members, both past and present, dignitaries, family members and other cricket
stakeholders all in attendance.
The event, which took place at the prestigious Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval, was aimed at
celebrating years of impact, legacies, achievements, and contributions to the growth and
development of the game in Nigeria.
Foundation Cricket Club, which was established in the 1985/1986 season, has won several
laurels, championed various cricket events, and added value to the game by producing
players who went on to represent the country and later administered cricket across several
states and Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Emeritus, Olayinka
Fisher said that though they have lost some members from when they celebrated 30 years
anniversary, he was excited that a lot of progress had been made in the last 10 years. The
former Club Coordinator of the Club then prayed to God to grant all members the grace to
witness many more landmark celebrations.
On his part Kwesi Sagoe, Founding Member of FCC gave a detailed
historical background of how FCC was formed over four decades ago by four gentlemen
namely Late Ako Amadi, Late Moye Adenuga, Olayinka Fisher and Kwesi Sagoe with the
sole aim of giving other cricketers who were not so popular the opportunity to enjoy the
game not also forgetting breaking the division in Lagos cricket that arose from the tense
rivalry between the then two top teams, Dyaks and Lagos Amateur Cricket Club.
The former President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation rounded off his thoughts by saying
the emergence of FCC provided facilities among secondary schools and tertiary institutions
in Nigeria and encouraged playing tours of the clubs within and outside the country.
Club Coordinator of FCC Mr Kofi Sagoe, during his remarks, took time to appreciate every
member of the executives and members of the club for their passion, dedication, sacrifices,
and impact over the years. He further explained that some of the activities that make this
celebration unique are the launch of an ‘’FCC Coffee Table Book’’ by Professor Adebola
Kukoyi, Retired Professor of Romantic and Comparative Literature of UNILAG, and awards
to deserving organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves in Cricket.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees Club Cricket Committee League, Mr Bob Osaghae, said we
can look back today and roll out drums to celebrate the contributions of the club to the
development of the game in the country.
His words “FCC midwifed the formation of Club Cricket Committee (CCC) in 1987, and since
then the Committee has made considerable impacts in the game. Several of the FCC
members have served in various administrative capacities within CCC and NCF.

Furthermore, Mr Kome Agodo, Former Wicketkeeper and Opening Batter, expressed
happiness to be part of a club that several years ago provided the bulk of players for both
the Nigerian National team and the West African Cricket Team, with several members of
FCC representing Nigeria and the West African Cricket Council.
The Immediate Past Chairman, Club Cricket Committee League, Mr Akin Denton added that
he is the happiest individual today because he joined the club as a Masters Student of the
University of Ibadan and today the club has produced some members who have served as
former Chairmen of State Cricket Associations: George Wiltshire, Kofi Sagoe (Lagos),
Ladipo Idowu (Ogun) and James Okwara (Kwara).Subsequently, the FCC produced Kwesi Sagoe, Former President of the Nigeria Cricket
Federation, and Mr George Wiltshire, Pioneer NCF General Manager/Chief Operating
Officer.
The high point of the celebration was the award of plaques to the Nigeria Cricket
Federation, Club Cricket Committee League, The Cricket Lab, Chief Simeon Oyewole
Ogundipe (1st Secretary General of Ogun State Cricket Federation), Mr Jacob Ajom (Veteran
Sports Journalists), and Coach Ewa Henshaw (Former Captain and Coach of Nigeria Cricket
National Team).
Present at the event were some dignitaries, ranging from Barrister Wahid Enitan Oshodi,
President, African Table Tennis Association; Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson, Retired
Justice of Lagos High Court; Mr Endurance Ofem, Former Nigerian Cricket Captain; Mr Femi
Agbaje, Ex-Cricketer and Chartered Accountant; Mr David Harper, Chairman Board of
Trustees, Lagos Cricket Stakeholder; Mr Kevin Allanso, Former Captain of London Nigeria
Cricket Club; Dr Mrs Pat Oyelola, Member FCC Publication Editorial Committee, and Mr
Owolabi Oduguwa, Chairman, Lagos Cricket Stakeholder.

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