Nigeria has clinched the prestigious International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket Initiative of The Year 2023 in Africa for its outstanding efforts in advancing cricket development within the country. The recognition was bestowed upon Nigeria for its successful execution of the PwC National U-17 Championship, a tournament that has been running for five consecutive years.
In a statement released by the ICC, Nigeria was lauded among 21 nations for its remarkable contributions to cricket development both on and off the field throughout the year under review. The ICC highlighted the PwC National U-17 Championship, organized by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), as a key initiative that continues to provide valuable competitive opportunities for young cricketers nationwide.
Regional winners, including Nigeria, will now advance to the global stage for voting to determine the ultimate winners in each category.
Reacting to the accolade, NCF President Uyi Akpata expressed delight at the recognition, emphasizing the collaborative effort that led to the championship’s success. Akpata credited the support of partners like PwC for backing the federation’s developmental initiatives, underscoring the positive impact of their collective efforts on a global scale.
Sam Abu, Country Senior Partner at PwC Nigeria, echoed Akpata’s sentiments, emphasizing the potential of cricket to empower and inspire youth globally. Abu commended the collaborative initiative between PwC and the NCF, expressing pride in the global recognition of their joint efforts.
This latest accolade adds to Nigeria’s growing list of achievements in cricket development. Previously, Nigeria received regional awards for the ‘Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of The Year’ for its activities at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Edo State, as well as the ‘100 per cent Cricket Female Cricket Initiative of The Year’ for promoting girl-child enrollment in cricket programs in Zamfara State.
