ICC U19 Cricket World Cup: Nigeria’s Maiden Participation Excites National Sports Commission

ICC U19 Cricket World Cup: Nigeria’s Maiden Participation Excites National Sports Commission

.Approves Foreign Training Tour To India For Junior Female YellowGreens

Ibrahim Lateef

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has approved a foreign training tour to India for the Nigeria U19 Women’s team, known as the Junior Female YellowGreens, as they prepare for this year's ICC U19 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup, set to take place in Malaysia from January 18, 2025, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, stated that the Commission is collaborating closely with the Nigeria Cricket Federation to provide logistical, technical, and financial support to ensure Nigeria performs well at the World Cup.

“Starting the year with Nigeria’s first-ever participation in a Cricket World Cup for our U19 girls is a significant milestone for us at the Commission, and we are taking it very seriously,” Olopade said.

 “This is a remarkable achievement as it marks the first time Nigeria will compete at any level of a cricket World Cup. It also highlights the dedicated efforts of the President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, and his team, who have been working silently behind the scenes to promote the sport.”

 “Both I and the Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, are particularly excited about this World Cup as it aligns with our Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE) campaign by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aims to engage young girls in sports and provide them with opportunities for a better livelihood.”

 “These young girls, aged 19, are set to represent our great nation on one of the largest stages in U19 cricket, and they need support from all Nigerians and the media.”

“The arrangements for their training tour to India are already in place, and from there, they will proceed to Malaysia for the World Cup,” he concluded.

Nigeria is one of four countries making its debut in this year’s World Cup, joining Samoa, Nepal, and host country Malaysia among the sixteen nations competing.

 India, the defending champions, won the last edition in 2023, defeating England in the final held in South Africa.