Joel Ajayi 

Still basking if the euphoria from the exploits by the Nigeria female under-19 team at the ICC Under-19 female T20 world cup in Malaysia, the country is set to host the 6th edition of the National Under 17 Cricket Championship for boys and girls with qualification series across the 6 geo-political zone in the country.

Over the years, the competition have grown to become the biggest age grade tournament in Nigeria and West Africa, providing the right pathway for the next generation of superstars to wear the prestigious ‘Green and Yellow” kits of Nigeria. The last five editions have witnessed a significant expansion in the number of participating states. The first edition had 19 states participating in the boys category and 15 states in the girls category with an small increase in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic where 21 states and 17 states participated in the boys and girls category respectively.

As the tournament became more popular, 2022 witnessed a significant increase in participation where 25 states featured in the boys category and 21 states in the girls category. In 2023 and 2024, the numbers continued to increase with a staggering representation of 33 states participating in the boys category and 29 states in the girls category during the 5th edition in 2024, making a total of 3,290 player participants and 928 coaches representation in this tournament with over 450 officiating jobs carried out in the last 5 editions.

The 6th edition is looking to set a new record of participation with Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi from the North East all making their appearance for the first time, while in the North central, Benue State finally breaking their barren years of involvement in Cricket by featuring a boys team in the North Central zonal qualifier.

North Central qualifier will take place in the FCT, Abuja while North West and North East will take place in Kaduna and Borno State respectively. The South-South qualifier will take place in Asaba, Delta State, Ebonyi State will host the South East while Lagos State will host the South West states.

The date for the zonal qualification are scheduled as follows,
*North Central: 8- 12th  February**North East:  8-  12th  February**North West : 8- 12th  February**South-South: 6 – 10th  February**South East:  7 – 11th  February**South West: 6 – 10 th February

All dates include Arrival and Departure .
The National final is scheduled to take place in Abuja from 18th to 23rd of February 2025. For more information and inquiries, contact the tournament coordinator *(08055839884)*.

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