New talents emerge at cricket national champs
The sixth edition of the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s National U-17 Championships came to a befitting end on Monday with 10 youngsters returning home with individual awards in both male and female categories of the tournament, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
After a keenly contested zonal eliminations, the best players from the six geo-political zones converged on the Twin Ovals of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja for the five-day tournament which again saw South South dominate both categories.
Aside from the frenzy of the South South team’s dominance, five outstanding players from each category were feted.
In the male category, Ubiri Praise of Team South South, who had nine wickets was crowned the MVP while his teammate Bright Edem was named the best fielder thanks to his four catches.
Although the podium places were occupied by South South, South West and South East, the North Central produced the best bowler of the tournament in Mohammed Yahaya. His teammate Abdulrahman Aliyu was named the best-behaved player while David Garba of Team North East, who had 71 runs in two innings emerged as the best batter.
In the female category, Beauty Oguai of Team South South was named MVP with her 120 runs. Aisha Aliyu of Team North East was the best fielder with five dismissals just as Abdulwaheed Sofiat of Team Noth Central, who took nine wickets, was the best bowler. Her teammate, Hassana Saliu was the best better with 39 runs with complementing stats.
There were also presidential awards for most promising players which went to Malik Eleshinla of Team South West in the male category while Ude Sunshine of Team South East bagged the prize in the female category.
Tournament coordinator, Musa Ehizoje, said the success of the players will add to the pool of Nigeria’s expanding cricket talent.
“The successful conclusion of the championship highlights the depth of talent in Nigerian cricket and the effectiveness of the NCF’s developmental programs. The federation remains committed to nurturing these young talents to elevate the sport’s profile both nationally and internationally,” Ehizoje said.
“The tournament saw participation from 36 states and this underscores the NCF’s commitment to grassroots development and the sport’s growing appeal nationwide.”
First held in 2019, the maiden edition had 19 states participating in the boys’ category and 15 states in the girls’ category which increased to 33 and 29 respectively in 2023 and 2024.
Some of the players that have been discovered in previous editions include Piety Lucky, Lilian Ude, and Peace Usen as well as 12 other players who did the country proud at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
