By Our Reporter
The 2025 Edo Cricket League rapped up in lively fashion on Sunday, November 30, with Invictus Cricket Club taking the crown after a steady, confident run through the men’s T20 season.
Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, said he was impressed with how smoothly the league ran, calling it a big step forward for cricket in both Edo State and the country. In a statement signed by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, he described this year’s edition as a standout example of how a local league can become a national reference point.
He congratulated Invictus CC for sealing the title and applauded all participating teams for the quality of cricket on display. According to him, the tournament once again showed that Edo State has become a strong breeding ground for fresh cricket talent.
Enabulele also credited the Nigeria Cricket Federation and the Edo State Cricket Association, led by Uyi Akpata, for the discipline and consistency they have brought into developing the sport. He said the partnership between government and cricket stakeholders remains the backbone of the league’s rising reputation.
He added that the success of the 2025 edition ties neatly into Governor Monday Okpebholo’s broader plan for sports development across Edo State—an agenda focused on engaging young people, upgrading sporting facilities, and building structured pathways that help athletes grow.
He reaffirmed that the Sports Commission will continue pushing fresh programmes to strengthen cricket at youth and senior levels. According to him, Edo State is committed to maintaining its place as the country’s pace-setter in sports innovation.
On the field, Invictus CC finished top of the log with 12 points, dropping only one of their seven matches. No-Limit CC followed with 10 points, despite finishing the weekend with an 8-wicket loss to UNIBEN CC. Integrity Force CC and UNIBEN CC ended the season on 8 points apiece.
UNIBEN CC ended the final matchday with a spirited 2-wicket victory over Invictus CC—an upset that added late drama but did not change the title race. A day earlier, on November 29, UNIBEN CC had fallen to Integrity Force CC by 76 runs.
The league, staged at the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Cricket in Benin City, was sponsored by PETS Foundation and coordinated by the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
Outstanding performers received cash prizes at the close of the tournament:
• Most Valuable Player: Victor Samuel (UNIBEN CC) – N75,000
• Best Batter: Selim Salau (No-Limit CC) – N50,000
• Best Bowler: Godbless Abilo (No-Limit CC) – N50,000
• Best Fielder: David Abiebhode (Invictus CC) – N50,000
• Best Behaved Player: Emmanuel Osavbie Irabor (U-17 CC) – N50,000