Three members of Nigeria’s record-breaking U-19 female cricket team were recently celebrated by the staff and students of their secondary schools in Uyo and Benin City.
At Community Secondary Commercial School (C.S.C.S.) Ibiaku Itam in Uyo, Deborah Bassey and Inyene Umoh were welcomed with enthusiasm by their fellow students.
They were honored with a guard of honor formed by the school’s cricket and netball teams. Inyene, who also plays netball, began her cricket journey just two years ago. Both players expressed their joy and gratitude for the warm reception.
The school’s principal, Mrs. Mary Okon, alongside Mr. Ifiok Imin, commended the students for bringing pride to the school, which has consistently excelled in secondary school sports competitions across Akwa Ibom State.
Nigerian U-19 assistant coach Blessing Etim was also present, expressing her hope that the event would inspire more students to explore cricket and other sports like netball, rugby, football, athletics, and American flag football.
As part of the celebration, C.S.C.S. received the prestigious Mrs. Alice Imaria Ehimiaghe Award for its efforts in engaging and empowering over 2,000 students through sports.
The school was awarded ₦150,000, while the two cricketers received ₦20,000 each from the event organizers, CSED Initiative.
Meanwhile, at Iyoba College in Benin City, cricketer Adeshola Adekunle was warmly received during the school assembly.
The school management praised her achievements, particularly her performance in Malaysia, and recognized her as a role model for other students.
Iyoba College was also honored with the Mrs. Alice Imaria Ehimiaghe Award for using sports to enhance character development and learning experiences.
The school, which recently won the Elizabeth Osato Edebiri Memorial Cricket Tournament for Girls, received ₦150,000, which will be used to purchase sports kits in preparation for upcoming inter-house and secondary school competitions.
Both schools boast dedicated cricket facilities, including practice nets. Iyoba College has a small cricket stand, while C.S.C.S. is nearing completion of its cricket spectator stand.
Their success is a testament to the grassroots development initiatives spearheaded by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF).
Under the leadership of President Uyi Akpata, the NCF has not only nurtured young sporting talent but also provided scholarships and financial support to cricketers pursuing higher education in Nigerian universities.
Through these efforts, cricket has also served as a tool for psycho-social support, benefiting residents in IDP and refugee camps across Nigeria.
