Team Captain, Prince Ogbue, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Awka, said Ajaelu was instrumental in their winning the Chuma Anosike Cup.

NAN reports that the competition took place at the Paul University, Awka from March 8 – 12.

Ogbue also attributed the victory to hard work and determination of the players.

“I am filled with happiness; it feels awesome to win because this is the seventh time this competition has been on.

“And it is the first time we are qualifying for the finals and winning this cup.

“The secret is simply hard work because even the Bible says faith without work is nothing.

“I give credit to whom it is due, the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Public Safety, Godwin Ajaelu.

“He is the man behind all cricket activities in Imo; he backed us up morally and financially. So, I give him the credit.”

Ogbue commended the sponsor of the competition, Chuma Anosike, who is also the Chairman of Anambra Cricket Association.

“This is the seventh edition and he said he is not going to quit; so, we expect, God willing, the eighth edition will be sponsored by him. We pray that God will continue to bless him,’’ the captain said.

He hoped that Imo would successfully defend the trophy in 2018.

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the championship has indicated that the tournament would feature the females in subsequent editions.“I am hoping we will have a female version of this championship; so, we have to see our female playing at the same time as the boys. Provision will be made for them in terms of logistics and monetary reward,’’ he said.

Anosike urged the Anambra government to provide a land for the building of a cricket oval, to further develop the sport.

“It is clear that we need land for cricket oval in Anambra; as you can see, we have relied on improvised venues which we pay for. But we need a ground of our own, which we can develop according to our needs,” Anosike said.

NAN reports that the Anambra Team One finished third, while the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which represented Enugu State and five-time winners, came third.

Ebonyi team occupied the fourth position while the Anambra Team Two came fifth while Government College Umuahia  was last, occupying the sixth position.

The next edition of the championship is billed for Owerri, Imo.