Nigeria Cricket Federation Recognizes Significant Improvements in U-17 Championship
The Nigeria Cricket Federation praised the notable improvements in the recent U17 Cricket Championship, highlighting competitive performances and increased global visibility. The tournament concluded with the South South team winning in both male and female categories, indicating a bright future for cricket in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has expressed satisfaction with the significant improvements observed in the NCF/PwC U17 Cricket Championship. The sixth edition concluded recently in Abuja, showcasing unexpected results and new records, which drew praise from stakeholders and organizers alike. Musa Ehizoje, the tournament director, remarked on the event’s competitive nature, highlighting the development of cricket across the regions.
Ehizoje noted that the standard of play had greatly improved, evidenced by surprising performances such as the North Central team challenging five-time champions South South, and the North East defeating South West by 93 runs in the female category. These developments indicate that, unlike previous tournaments, teams now display a stronger competitive spirit, which excites the federation for future events.
Furthermore, the tournament benefited from increased global visibility due to Nigeria’s Under 19 World Cup performance in January. The event was streamed live, attracting a wider audience and featuring players who participated in the World Cup, positioning the tournament as a pivotal source of talent for national teams.
The South South region emerged as the champion in both the male and female categories, with the women’s team remaining undefeated since the tournament’s inception and the men’s team achieving its fifth consecutive victory. Overall, with representation from all six geo-political zones, the tournament was a resounding success, concluding on a high note.
In summary, the NCF/PwC U17 Cricket Championship demonstrated remarkable growth in the standard of cricket in Nigeria. The tournament’s competitive nature and unexpected results, alongside increased global attention, signify a promising future for cricket in the nation. The success of the South South teams further highlights the evolution of talent within Nigerian cricket, with hopes for continued improvement leading up to 2025.
Original Source: nannews.ng
