Sports

Excitement As NCF/PWC U17 Cricket Tournament Kick-Off Wednesday

Published

4 years ago

February 15, 2022

By Joel Ajayi

It’s going to be the battle to finish at the 3rd Edition of the Nigeria Cricket Federation in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC National U-17 Cricket Championship finals as representatives of six geo-political zones will slug it out in a fierce competition.

The final round of the U-17 tourney for boys and girls cricket championship kicks off today Wednesday to Sunday in Abuja.

The games will be played inside the newly built cricket Ovats inside Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

It will be recalled that the preliminary round at the zonal level has been concluded and the selected players from the zones are coming to represent their zones in the final round in Abuja.

Briefing newsmen ahead of the event tagged ‘NCF/PwC Championship’ the Secretary General of Nigeria Cricket Federation, NCF, Mr Taiwo Oris said the championship is targeted at getting more children into the game of cricket and also open up opportunities for more participation.

He commended PricewaterhouseCoopers ,PwC, for bankrolling the Championship, saying the event will serve as gateway into international cricket podium for young talents.

In his address, the representative of PwC, Mr Tolu Adeleke, said the sponsorship is part of their corporate responsibility in empowering youths and taking them off the street.

He said the positive impact and the result of their sponsorship or contribution which is enormous is spurring them to extend the gesture.

While giving an overview of the tournament, the NCF Tournament Manager Bode Musa Ehizoje enumerated positive impacts of the tournament in the last three years as the number of participating states keep increasing.

He expressed that despite the challenges, progress has been made compared to previous editions where limited states participated.

According to him, this year, 31 states for the boys and 25 for the girls participated at the preliminary stage.

Ehizoje assured that the positive impact of the competition promises a better hope for Nigeria’s present and future.

Speaking on the technical aspect of the event, the NCF Technical Director Mr Joseph Eshua said that NCF/PWC U17 Cricket Tournament remains the most junior tournament in the country in the history of cricket.

He said the tournament will equally go a long way to improve the players, coaches and referees.

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Sports

“Aderonke Atoyebi Wins Big in Denmark, Inspires Global Recognition for Nigerian Women in Sports

Published

6 hours ago

November 3, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria’s own Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi has brought immense pride to the nation after being named the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) Role Model of the Year at a ceremony held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The biennial ISCA Awards honour individuals and organizations that use sports and physical activity as tools for social change, inclusion, and empowerment across the globe. This year’s edition drew nominations from several countries, spotlighting outstanding figures who have transformed their communities through the power of sports.
Atoyebi’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment has made her a prominent voice in the sports-for-development space. Through her advocacy and leadership, she continues to demonstrate how sports can serve as a bridge for education, unity, and hope—especially among young women in Nigeria and beyond.
As part of the recognition, Atoyebi received a €3,000 cash prize along with the global visibility that accompanies the prestigious ISCA honour.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, she expressed deep gratitude and excitement, dedicating the recognition to her team and everyone who has supported her journey.
> “This award means a lot to me. It’s a testament to the hard work my team and I have put in over the years,” Atoyebi said. “Being recognised on such an international stage proves that no effort toward positive change ever goes unnoticed. It motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and reaching more girls who need hope and opportunity.”

Atoyebi’s global recognition further strengthens Nigeria’s growing influence in the global dialogue around sports, development, and women’s empowerment. Her story continues to inspire a new generation of African women to believe that with passion, dedication, and purpose, they too can create lasting change.

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