NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Sports

Cricket: Nigeria set to host ICC U19 Men’s World Cup Qualifier

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By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) says it is ready to host five other nations for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under 19 Men’s World Cup African Qualifier.

The tournament is billed for Lagos, with the matches to be held at the cricket ovals in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and the University of Lagos (Unilag) from March 26 to April 6.

Uyi Akpata, President of the federation, said in a statement on Sunday, that the tournament is about celebrating the growth of the game on the continent.

“Nigeria is thrilled to welcome these talented young cricketers and their supporters to Lagos.

“Our nation is known for its warm hospitality and fascinating cricketing potential, and we are committed to making this qualifier a memorable experience for all.

“This tournament is not just about competition; it’s about celebrating the growth of cricket in Africa and inspiring the next generation of players,” Akpata noted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Tanzania and Sierra Leone will join Nigeria to jostle for the continent’s sole ticket to the 2026 ICC Under 19 Men’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will be hoping to secure the ticket, having achieved same feat in 2019 and competing at the World Cup in South Africa 2020 . (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh

Sports

Cricket: Federation hails improvement in U-17 tourney

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By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), has expressed delight over the ‘significant improvement’ in the standard of the NCF/PwC U17 Cricket Championship.

The sixth edition, ended recently in Abuja with numerous upsets and new records set in the tournament, received commendation from stakeholders but notably organisers.

Musa Ehizoje, the tournament director, while reviewing the competition, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the keenly contested event showcased the development of the game in the regions.

“Overall, the standard of the game has improved significantly and we saw that over the past weekend.

“For instance, we saw a team like North Central giving five -time champions South South a good run for their money in the male category.

“Also North Central beating one-time champion North West in the male event as well as North East picking a 93-run win against South West in the female event.

“These were amazing scenes. This was against bookmakers’ prediction but we saw it happen and it was a testament of how much the game has improved in the various regions.

“Unlike what we have witnessed in the past where teams like South South enjoy seamless ride to victory, now every team fight to finish and these excites us as a federation.

“By 2025, we will not be surprised to see any team beating the South South team to the trophy in both male and female events,’’ he said.

Ehijoze, who is also the Public Relations Officer of the federation, said that this edition also reached a wide audience from across the globe, following Nigeria’s performance at the Under 19 World Cup in January.

“We had more people across the globe in this tournament which was streamed live because this is the tournament that produced the talents that represented Nigeria in Malaysia.

“We also had some of the World Cup players participate in this tournament because they are eligible.

“Now, we have a pool of talents to feed the Under 19 and senior national teams in both male and female category,’’ Ehizoje noted.

NAN reports that South South emerged champions in both male and female categories, with the women’s team coming top since the inception of the tournament while the men’s team are champions five times in a row.

The tournament which began on Thursday, ended on Sunday with the six- geo political zones represented. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh

Sports

Cricket: PwC reiterates support for grassroots development

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By Ijeoma Okigbo

Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) has reiterated its support for the development of cricket in the country.

It lauded the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for its “governance structure and fruitful partnership” for the past six years.

Tolu Adeleke, PwC Representative, said this at a news conference on Wednesday ahead of the sixth Pwc/NCF U17 National Cricket Championship in Abuja.

Adeleke appreciated the efforts of the federation, noting that the partnership between the duo has been rewarding.

“We need to appreciate the NCF. Our partnership with the federation has been rewarding.

“It speaks to the fact that the federation is properly structured with clearly articulated laid down plans and that is why the relationship has been seamless.

“ The partnership has blossomed and the reward is seeing the talents discovered from the competition able to represent the country internationally.

“It is worthy to note that most of the players that represented Nigeria at the U19 World Cup in January were discovered from this tournament.

“We are pleased with the progress and rewards this tournament brought to the growth of the game in the country and we will continue to support it.

“ This competition doesn’t just help kids improve their game but also builds values of friendship, team work and more, aligning with the values of PwC,” Adeleke said.

On his part, Sani Muhammed, the NCF Secretary-General, highlighted PwC’s role in unearthing cricket talents in Nigeria.

“ On the part of the National Sports Commission (NSC), they commend organisations like PwC for consistently nurturing talent through this grassroots programs such as this.

“ If you look at previous records, many players of the male and female national teams have come from the PwC programme.

“As Tolu mentioned, all the players who represented Nigeria at the T20 World Cup in Malaysia were part of the PwC event.

“The government prioritises the development of this sport and will continue to provide enabling environment to elevate the game,” Muhammed saod.

Meanwhile Joseph Eshua, the NCF Technical Director, said that the tournament will serve as an avenue to select 50 male and 50 female players to be camped for the Under-19 national team.

The sixth edition of the PwC/NCF tournament begins on Thursday and will end on Sunday in Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Sports

Cricket: World Cup qualifier will showcase Nigeria’s talent, facilities, Akpata says

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By Ijeoma Okigbo

Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), said the upcoming 2025 T20 World Cup Sub-Regional African Qualifier C in Abuja, will test Nigeria’s facilities as well as cricket prowess.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, Akpata said that preparations are in top gear to welcome five other countries for the tournament from Nov. 23 to Nov. 28.

“There is no doubt that we are making some advancement in talent development. We are at a point where we need to build competences across different facets of the game.

“Nigeria cricket has been making a bit of buzz globally and attention will be on us, during the event.

“ I think it is a good thing and I believe it is an opportunity to show the world our brand of Cricket and some bits of what makes us Nigeria”, Akpata noted.

Meanwhile, three players from Nigerian Men’s Senior team, Isaac Okpe, Chiemelie Udekwe, and Isaac Danladi who featured in the just concluded Zimbabwean National Cricket League are back to boost the squad.

“We believe we stand a good chance of qualifying to the next stage but our focus is also on delivering beautiful memories to our visitors as well as cricket fans at home and abroad watching the event,” Akpata added.

NAN reports that Nigeria will be joined by Botswana, Côte D’Ivoire, Eswatini, St. Helena, and Sierra Leone for a week-long cricket action that will produce two finalists to the next stage of the World Cup Qualifier. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Sports

Cricket: Edo wins National Women’s championship

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By Ijeoma Okigbo

Edo women’s cricket team has won the fourth edition of the National Women’s Championship.

The tournament organised by the team Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) saw Edo beat Akwa Ibom by 89 runs finish unbeaten and clinch victory on Sunday.

Akwa Ibom had won the toss and elected to field but the Edo batting prowess couldn’t be contained.

Opening batter Victory Igbinedion dominated the scoring chart with 40 from 54 balls with Piety Lucky contributing 36 from 23 balls before a hit wicket dismissal saw her off to the stands.

Teammate Anointed Akhigbe also added 12 from 18 balls helping the Benin side reach 128 runs in the first innings.

The second innings was a light walk for the inspired Edo team which saw off all of Akwa Ibom batters in 12 overs with a paltry 39 runs to show.

Uyi Akpata, President of the Federation said that the 2024 Championship has confirmed what concerted effort in the growing women sports can produce.

“It’s been seven days of quality cricket and showcase of cricket skills by girls from all the six geo-political zones of the country.

“We had Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi, Ekiti, Lagos, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Edo and it has been nothing short of excellent display from all sides.

“I am proud of the teams that took part in the tournament and can only hope that we continue to grow women’s cricket,” he said.

Favour Eseigbe, Edo captain said that she was proud of the team’s achievement as all members gave their best for them to emerge champions.

Peace Usen, the player of the match of the encounter took five wickets in four overs conceding on six runs and one maiden.

The finals of the NCF Womens’s Championship started on Tuesday and ended on Sunday in Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Sports

Cricket: 300 girls expected at Women’s Criio festival

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By Ijeoma Okigbo

No fewer than 300 girls are expected to feature in the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) Women’s Criio festival billed for Friday in Abuja.

Ehis Uadiale, NCF coordinator for the event, said the festival which is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) is aimed at promoting the game across the female folk.

Uadiale, who stated this at a news conference ahead of the National Women’s Championship, said Nigeria and Tanzania were the only African countries selected to pilot the programme.

“In 2023, the NCF was awarded the Best Female Initiative Programme by the ICC and it was from efforts to introduce the sport to over 25,000 girls in Zamfara.

“Following the National women’s team success at the African Games in Ghana and the women’s qualification to the U19 World Cup in Malaysia, ICC also found Nigeria worthy to pilot the criio programme.

“Criio is a concept by ICC. It is a modified way of playing cricket out of the usual hardball cricket. Criio means you can play cricket anywhere, even in your living room.

“With the aim of spreading the game to the female folk, Nigeria and Tanzania were selected among countries in Africa to pilot the programme,’’ Uadiale said.

The NCF official also added that the festival would be replicated in other parts of the country with the aim of creating more awareness of the game.

“We are looking at infusing the criio festival with the ongoing Women’s championship since it is about women.

“We are inviting schools with over 300 girls expected to participate, even representatives of the ICC will be present at the event. It is going to be fun, exciting and worth the time.

“We are also going to replicate this in other parts of the country but we are using Abuja to launch the programme.

“For us, this is a pat on the back from ICC, because we have raised the bar high in terms of grassroots development, especially for women’s cricket and we only hope to keep improving,’’ he said.

On her part, Adaora Sdyney-Jack, the brand ambassador for women’s cricket, said the success of the women’s game has ushered in more partners for the federation.

“Nigeria is seen as a priority country by the ICC and this is due to the success of the women’s game but then we have filled in the gaps that borders around the right partnership, welfare and intervention for the female players.

“We have had a lot of inroads and calls from partners and by January 2025 we are looking at three new major partners.

“I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but they are very huge.

“Some of them will be attending the criio festival but the priorities are not just for the criio festival or the Women’s championship but also for the U19 World Cup in 2025,’’ Sdyney-Jack added.

On his part, Sani Mohammed, the Secretary General, of the federation welcomed all participating teams to the women’s championship, admonishing them on the rules of fair play.

Teams Anambra, Edo, Kogi, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ekiti and Kaduna are participating in the tournament expected to end on Sunday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

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