In a vibrant display of cricket prowess, the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has officially announced the participation of 33 male teams and 25 female teams, totaling an impressive 58 teams hailing from across the six geo-political zones in the country for its upcoming fifth National U-17 Championship.
Set to kick off on January 20, the competition will commence with zonal eliminations in both boys’ and girls’ categories, running through January 28.
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Teams representing various states will engage in intense round-robin clashes, vying for the coveted title of zonal champions and the opportunity to advance to the national finals.
The grand culmination of the tournament is slated for February 7 to 11 at the iconic Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The national finals promise an exhilarating showdown as the best-performing teams from each zone converge to battle for supremacy.
Defending champions in both boys’ and girls’ categories, Team South-South, enter the tournament with the weight of back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.
Their quest for a historic three-peat adds an extra layer of excitement to the unfolding cricket spectacle.
Initiated in 2018, the NCF PwC championship has emerged as a crucial platform for talent development, contributing significantly to the national cricket scene.
The tournament has been instrumental in unearthing promising players who have gone on to represent the nation at both the men’s and women’s levels.
Notable cricket stars who have risen through the ranks of the NCF PwC championship include the left-handed batter for the Yellow Greens, Prosper Useni, and the dynamic Ridwan Abdulkareem.
On the women’s front, the Female Yellow Greens boast talents like Lucky Piety, Peculiar Agboya, and Sarah Etim, among others, all products of this prestigious championship.
As anticipation builds for the fifth edition of the National U-17 Championship, cricket enthusiasts can expect a riveting showcase of emerging talent and fierce competition on the pitch. The NCF continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing the future stars of Nigerian cricket through this exciting and impactful tournament.
