National U-17 Cricket Championship begins in Abuja today
The 7th edition of the PwC-sponsored Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) National Under-17 Cricket Championship for boys and girls is set to commence today March 11 through to 15, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Oval in Abuja. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Alhaji […]
The 7th edition of the PwC-sponsored Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) National Under-17 Cricket Championship for boys and girls is set to commence today March 11 through to 15, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Oval in Abuja.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Alhaji Sani Mohammed, who represented the federation’s president, Uyi Akpata, said all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure a successful tournament.
According to him, the competition follows the successful completion of zonal qualifiers held across the six geopolitical zones of the country, with the winners now set to compete in the national finals beginning today.
“The PwC Under-17 Championship will start tomorrow [today]. We have already concluded the zonal competitions across the six geopolitical zones, and the winners have emerged. They are now ready to compete in the national finals,” he said.
Mohammed noted that the partnership between PwC and the NCF has remained one of the key drivers of grassroots cricket development in Nigeria, helping to identify and nurture young talents while strengthening the country’s national teams.
“Our development officers work closely with schools in their various zones. Their mission is to introduce cricket to students, train them, and monitor their development as part of our grassroots strategy,” he explained.
Also speaking at the briefing, Habeeb Jayeola, representing global professional services firm PwC, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to grassroots sports development in Nigeria, highlighting its long-standing partnership with the Nigeria Cricket Federation.
Jayeola noted that the partnership aligns with PwC’s belief that sports play a vital role in shaping discipline, character, and leadership qualities among young people.
He explained that beyond athletic excellence, sports help young people develop essential life skills such as teamwork, dedication, patience, discipline, and maturity—qualities that are equally valuable in the business world