The much-anticipated national finals of the 6th PwC National Under-17 Cricket Championship commenced today, March 6th, and will run until Sunday, March 9th, at the twin ovals of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The event promises four days of thrilling matches as representatives from six geo-political zones compete fiercely for the championship title.
Organised by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the tournament aims to nurture and develop cricket at the grassroots level across Nigeria.
At a press conference held in Abuja yesterday, NCF’s Technical Director, Joseph Eshua, emphasised the significance of the partnership between NCF and PwC. He stated, “What we are doing today is very important to the Federation because this partnership has not only taken us to where it has taken us as a Federation, but most importantly it has taken these young boys and girls off the streets, helping them to find means of livelihood through sport, which is part of our goal as a federation.”
Tolu Adeleke, a representative from PwC, reiterated the company’s commitment to sponsoring the championship, highlighting its alignment with PwC’s core values of problem-solving and teamwork. “We are delighted to be part of cricket development in Nigeria, focusing on young talent. One of the reasons we are collaborating with the NCF is because our values clearly align with the global values of cricket, which include integrity, collaboration, and compassion,” he explained.
Adeleke expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Our partnership with the NCF has blossomed over the last six years, and its success is evident in the results of this competition and in the players who have gone on to represent their various states, zones, and even the country in international tournaments.”
He reflected on Nigeria’s promising performance at the T20 World Cup in Malaysia in January, noting that several players discovered through the championship contributed to the nation’s successes.
NCF Secretary General, Sani Muhammad, acknowledged the instrumental role of PwC in uncovering talents in Nigeria’s cricketing landscape. “The Sports Commission would like to commend PwC because talent has been consistently nurtured through this programme. If you examine previous history, you will find that the male and female national teams are largely composed of players from the PwC programme. Just as Tolu mentioned, all the players that represented Nigeria at the T20 World Cup in Malaysia were part of the PwC event. The government prioritises the development of this sport by providing the necessary enabling environment to elevate the game to new heights.”
As the competition unfolds over the coming days, anticipation builds around the potential for emerging young cricketers to showcase their talent and passion for the sport on a national stage.
