1000 schoolgirls for NCF’s Super Cricket Festival

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) is set to launch its largest-ever Super Cricket Festival, bringing together between 600 to 1000 female secondary school students at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, this October.

Uyi Akpata, the President of the NCF, revealed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a media briefing with stakeholders.

He attributed the unprecedented growth and transformation of cricket over the past four years to a strong passion for the development of the sport across the country.

Akpata emphasized that the federation is committed to ensuring cricket reaches every corner of Nigeria.

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Speaking about the NCF’s partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the opportunities it has created for Nigeria, Akpata said: “We are launching a super female involvement in cricket through a modified format.

“This will be part of the Women’s Cricket Festival, where we will gather between 600 to 1000 school girls in Abuja for a fun-filled event, held alongside the National Women’s Championship.

“We are also bringing together some of the best female cricketers in the country, with ICC women representatives in attendance. This template will be replicated across other regions of Nigeria.

“The ICC has identified two countries in Africa — Nigeria and Rwanda — to lead this initiative, based on our achievements in promoting women’s cricket. We have won global and continental awards in this area, and the fruits of our investment are already beginning to show.”

Akpata also spoke about the federation’s accomplishments, citing good leadership and governance as key factors in their success:

“We revamped our leadership structure at a time when there were serious concerns about governance, and this has been instrumental in our progress.”

In her remarks, NCF Brand Ambassador for Women’s Cricket and world-class broadcaster, Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, expressed commitment to using her experience in community journalism to raise awareness for the game.

She said: “When I look at women’s cricket in Nigeria, I see a bright future. If we take lessons from countries like India, South Africa, and Australia, we can see how they have succeeded through strategic partnerships.

“As a brand ambassador, I will focus on building strategic partnerships and community development, where cricket can play a significant role. I plan to leverage my platform in community journalism to drive this awareness.”