Sports
Curtain Falls On 6th Edition of NCF/PwC National Under 17 Zonal Championship
Joel Ajayi
The NCF National Under-17 Cricket Championship for Boys and Girls powered by PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC), ended successfully across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country.
The 6th edition of the tournament witnessed an expansion to 36 states participating in the event reaching a new record attendance as new talents were discovered across the country, highlighting hope for the next generation of superstars as well as the evidence of the impact of the NCF grassroots development initiative. Yobe and Adamawa states in the North East were the pinnacle of our success story, after years of battling with the challenges of insecurity and the ripple effect from insurgency in that region, cricket finally made a breakthrough.
*SOUTH WEST*
Lagos state dominated the South West qualification by winning the gold medal in both boys and girls category. Oyo and Ogun State finished as runner’s up and 3rd place respectively while in the the girls category, Oyo and Ogun State reversed roles in the table standings.
*SOUTH EAST*
In the south East, Imo State continued to maintain dominance in the boys category while Anambra and Ebonyi State finished 2nd and 3rd on the log. Ebonyi State also were unbeaten in the girls category to stand above all in first place while Anambra and Abia finished 2nd and 3rd to round off the games.
*SOUTH – SOUTH*
A little shift in power was recorded in the South-South qualification as Delta State recorded their first win over Edo in as many attempts to win the top spot in the girls category while Edo and Akwa Ibom state shared the 2nd and 3rd position accordingly. Edo state wasn’t ready to surrender their dominance in the boys category as they recorded a comfortable victory in the finals against Delta State and Akwa Ibom settled for 3rd position.
*NORTH CENTRAL*
Power completely changed hands in the North central zone as Niger state emerged champions in the boys category after suffering a close defeat to Kwara State in the last edition. Benue State, making their first appearance, surprisingly took the 2nd spot while Kogi state settled for 3rd position. The girls category saw the roles reversed with Kogi State taking the first position followed by Kwara state and FCT finishing in 3 place.
*NORTH WEST*
Kaduna State maintained their impressive record in the North West by winning both the boys and girls category as expected while kebbi state won 2nd position, signaling their first medal in the tournament while Zamfara State finished 3rd position in the boys category. Sokoto State was the surprise runner up in the girls category and Kebbi state signed off in 3rd position.
*NORTH EAST*
Perhaps the biggest shocker from the zonal qualification series came from the North East zone as Adamawa state who made their debut appearance emerged champions in the boys category and youth game medalist Taraba State finished as runner up while Gombe State finished in 3rd position. The girls category finished with Gombe State winning the standing and Borno state finished 2nd as only 2 female states participated in that region.
The finals of the tournament is set to take place in Abuja from the 5th – 10th of March 2025.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
-
Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News9 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones
