Retired cricketer Blessing Etim, 31, who was the former captain of the Female Yellow Greens and won bronze at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, talks about her time in the national team and more in this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE.
How do you feel about leaving the national team with a medal after winning bronze in the first cricket competition at the African Games?
It feels very good and it's the best way to retire. I don't think there will be a bigger tournament for me to achieve that this year. It's a great honor to have achieved this with the players and members of the board as well as other important individuals present. It's very heartwarming to see people happy for me.
The Female Yellow Greens were the lowest-ranked team at the Games. What motivated the team in Ghana?
As the lowest-ranked team, we needed to prove ourselves. We put a lot of effort and went above and beyond what was expected from us by the technical crew. This showed our progress, regardless of our ranking compared to the other teams. Winning the bronze is a significant achievement because securing the third place isn't easy.
Where does this bronze rank among the titles you have won for Nigeria?
Honestly, this is the most important medal I've achieved in my career and it signifies greater achievements for the girls in the future. I believe we will aim for something bigger at the next Games.
During the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Uganda last year, you reached 50 caps in the defeat to Namibia and were in tears after the game. Was it about the milestone or the result?
The tears weren't about the caps; it was because we could have won that game but unfortunately did not due to a few errors. That game was very crucial because it could have propelled us further in our quest to reach the World Cup.
Did you consider retiring before the African Games?
I wanted to retire last year when we won the NCF T20i invitational in Lagos, but I wasn't completely convinced that I had accomplished enough at that time. I didn't share this with anyone and gave it more time. Then, after this year’s NCF tournament in Lagos, I decided it was time but I wanted to achieve something significant for the nation before retiring.
Did you inform coach Oyede or the federation's president, Uyi Akpata?
I informed them through our team manager. Coach Oyede wasn't fully supportive but he respected my decision and so did everyone else. Before our last game, I also told the players to prepare to celebrate with me and fortunately, there was no pressure to win because I was retiring. I felt their emotions, they are happy for me, and everything is going well.
How did your cricket journey start?
I started playing cricket in primary four at Akanji Nursery and Primary School in Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos. I used to watch other pupils play during break time and got interested. A senior named Perpetua noticed me, asked where I was from, and invited me to play. I started playing with them using tennis balls, and later coaches from Howzat Foundation for Cricket introduced the game officially at our school. From there, I got more involved and my interest grew. I also participated in a coaching clinic at the stadium in 2006 and my cricket career advanced when I attended Onitolo Community Junior and Senior Secondary School. I represented the school at junior and senior levels and eventually became captain.
How did you advance to the national team?
In 2011, I attended an all-rounder course in South Africa, which led to further opportunities. Later that year, I was selected to participate in the ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers in Uganda, marking the team's first international tournament. I received my first international award there, earning Player of The Match despite scoring only 19 runs. Two years later, I returned to South Africa for the same course. The Nigerian team experienced a hiatus until 2015 when we were invited to Tanzania with the Mumbai Indians and the Tanzanian team. It was during this time that I became the captain.
You have been leading your peers and a new generation of players for many years. What are the key factors that have helped you?
When I became captain, I was younger than my teammates, so it required a lot of humility and wisdom to cover their weaknesses and share responsibilities. It hasn't been easy, especially nowadays, but being a Development Officer in Akwa Ibom State has allowed me to work with many young players who started playing under my leadership. Handling the younger players involves assessing their level of exposure and mentality. My background in Sociology and Anthropology has also been beneficial, helping me understand how to interact with younger individuals and groups. Ultimately, I have to remain approachable.
As a young girl, did your family place any restrictions or provide support for your pursuits?
I received encouragement from my grandmother. She consistently supported me during a challenging time when it was hard to find support from others. I was heavily involved in athletics at the time, representing my school in relay races. I encountered a hip dislocation and had to choose between pursuing athletics and cricket during my treatment. I ultimately chose cricket, but continued to do athletics secretly on the side.
What are your upcoming plans?
In addition to my personal plans, I haven't been very active in my role as a Development Officer. I need to allocate more time and energy towards developing more players in our state. There's an upcoming U-19 tournament that I want them to participate in, as well as other non-cricket-related pursuits, including business.
Unlike athletes in other sports representing Nigeria, cricketers are not widely recognized. How do the players cope with this?
Honestly, they operate in a different sphere, but we all represent Nigeria. Other athletes have more influence due to their earnings, and football is globally the most popular sport. At times, we feel unnoticed in public, but it doesn't diminish the honor of representing our country. Many people, even in Akwa Ibom State where we have four national team players, assume I'm a football coach when I mention I'm a coach. I usually show them videos on my phone to introduce them to cricket.
How and when do you envision Nigerian cricketers achieving the superstar status like footballers and other athletes?
We've been making significant efforts and despite the challenges, we remain focused. The commitment is there, and the federation is eager to do more. I believe we can reach that level. There has been a strong emphasis on developing female cricket in recent years. The medal we won was dedicated to our (Nigeria Cricket Federation) president Uyi Akpata. Previously, players didn't receive payment, but now there are contracts. Some of us are on scholarships because of cricket, which eases the burden at home. I hope this progress continues, regardless of changes in leadership.
Do you have any regrets about playing cricket?
Striving for more in the game may lead to regrets, but for me, not at all. I find great fulfillment and don't dwell on the negatives. As a Development Officer, seeing younger players succeed brings me joy and will continue to bring me satisfaction. The future holds promising opportunities, such as the exchange program in South Africa. People may claim that players forget their coaches as they progress, but it's untrue. They may not publicly acknowledge it, but their gratitude means a lot, even if it's not monetary. Recognizing their coaches' efforts goes a long way for them.
well.
