Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-04 02:58:28
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced that the national finals of the fifth PwC U-17 Cricket Championship will be taking place from February 14 to 19 at the twin ovals of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. This decision was made in order to accommodate regions that requested a shift in their qualifying dates, allowing them extra time to practice and bond ahead of the finals.
Emeka Igwilo, the NCF General Manager and co-chair of the 2024 organizing committee, stated that out of the six regions, four have already concluded their regional qualifications. The North-West and South-East regions are set to have their regional finals this upcoming weekend, giving the kids a few days to travel to Abuja for the national finals. The additional week will provide the teams with time to assemble and practice before the finals, as requested by the NCF board.
A total of 34 states registered boys’ teams for the championship, while 25 states entered girls’ teams. The regional qualifiers saw Ogun State’s girls’ team and Oyo State’s boys’ team advance from the South-West qualifiers. In the North Central region, it was Niger State’s boys and Kwara State’s girls’ team that emerged as the top teams. Edo State boys and girls team dominated the South-South qualifiers, and Gombe State ruled the North East.
Emeka Igwilo emphasized that each regional team is expected to be represented by their best talents, ensuring that the best players from every team have the opportunity for exposure, regardless of their team’s performance at the regional finals. This approach not only fosters integration along the regional lines but also ensures that the best talents get the necessary exposure.
The PwC National U-17 Championship has been instrumental in nurturing and progressing talents to the national team. By providing opportunities for young players to showcase their skills and compete at a national level, the championship plays a critical role in the development of cricket in Nigeria.
The shift in the national finals date will allow for a more inclusive and competitive event, giving all participating teams a fair chance to prepare and showcase their talents. The NCF is committed to the growth and development of cricket in Nigeria, and the PwC U-17 Cricket Championship is a testament to their dedication in providing young players with a platform to excel in the sport.
