Nigeria has been honored by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the winner of the Cricket Initiative of the Year 2023 in Africa for its PwC National U-17 Championship, marking a significant milestone in the country’s cricket development efforts.
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The ICC recognized Nigeria among 21 nations for their remarkable contributions on and off the field during the year under review. The PwC National U-17 Championship, which has been running for five years, stood out for its commitment to providing competitive playing opportunities for young cricketers across the country.
In a statement, the ICC highlighted Nigeria Cricket Federation’s (NCF) dedication to fostering cricket talent through initiatives like the U-17 Cricket Championship. The award underscores the collaborative efforts between the NCF, PwC, and other partners in advancing cricket development in Nigeria.
Expressing delight at the recognition, NCF President Uyi Akpata emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving cricket development goals. Akpata lauded the support of partners like PwC, whose investment in developmental initiatives has yielded positive outcomes on a global scale.
Akpata expressed gratitude for the ICC’s acknowledgment of Nigeria’s cricket development efforts, citing the dedication of the federation’s cricket development officers and board members. He affirmed that the award would inspire the NCF to continue its pursuit of excellence in cricket development.
This accolade marks Nigeria’s fourth recognition for its strides in cricket development, with previous honors including the ‘Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of The Year’ for activities at an IDP camp in Edo State and the ‘100 per cent Cricket Female Cricket Initiative of The Year’ for promoting girl-child enrollment in Zamfara State.
Nigeria’s success in the ICC Cricket Initiative of the Year 2023 reflects the country’s growing prominence in the global cricket community and serves as a testament to its commitment to nurturing cricket talent at the grassroots level.
