The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has officially announced that the national Under-19 boys and girls cricket teams are set to begin their journey to secure their respective World Cup tickets starting from July 31. This announcement marks a significant step for Nigerian cricket as both teams prepare to compete on the international stage.
Emeka Igwilo, the general manager of the federation, shared this exciting news, stating that the boys’ team is scheduled to travel to Tanzania this week. Their goal is to secure one of the two available tickets for the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, African Qualifier Division 2. This opportunity is crucial for the team as it presents a chance to showcase their talent and hard work on a larger platform.
“Our performance at this stage in 2019 gave us the first World Cup ticket and hence it has always put us in the spotlight since then. We are banking on the experience and hard work of the coaching staff to scale the next stage,” Igwillo said.
The federation has decided to re-appoint Daniel Gim as the coach of the men’s Under-19 team. His previous experience and expertise are expected to play a vital role in guiding the team towards success. Coach Gim’s familiarity with the team’s dynamics and his strategic approach are seen as key factors that can lead the team to victory.
“The team has been camping for weeks and we are hoping this will count for them in the tournaments that run from July 31 to August 14 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” he added.
Simultaneously, the female Under-19 team is gearing up for their World Cup Qualifier in Kigali, Rwanda. This tournament is set to take place from August 19 to 31. The girls’ team is bolstered by the presence of eight members from the senior national female team, bringing a wealth of experience and skill to the squad.
Igwilo expressed optimism about the girls’ team, highlighting the impact of the new technical team that has been working with the players. He believes that the combination of experienced players who contributed to Nigeria’s silver medal win at the African Games in Accra, Ghana, and the fresh talent coming from various developmental programs across the country, will significantly enhance the team’s performance.
“The players in both teams are products of different developmental programmes across the country which speaks to the effort of the coaches and developmental officers driving cricket at the grassroots. These youngsters represent the future of the game in Nigeria and the board prioritises grassroots engagement across the country along with facility development and continuous upskilling our staff must continue,” he said.
The focus on grassroots development and continuous improvement has been a cornerstone of the NCF’s strategy. The federation’s efforts to nurture young talent through various programs are starting to pay off, as evidenced by the promising performance of the Under-19 teams. The dedication of the coaches and developmental officers in identifying and grooming young players is crucial for the long-term success of cricket in Nigeria.
In addition to the preparations for the Under-19 teams, the senior men’s national team recently concluded a bilateral series with Kenya. This series consisted of five T20 games and two 50-over matches. The Nigerian team faced tough competition, losing the T20 series 3-2 and all the 50-over encounters. Despite these losses, the matches provided valuable learning experiences and opportunities for the team to identify areas for improvement.
“The Nigerian teams have been busy shaping up for the quarters ahead and we are happy at the lessons we are picking up and the adjustments they are opening us to,” the NCF further said.
Looking ahead, the senior men’s national team is set to participate in a Division 2 World Cup Qualifier, which will be hosted in Nigeria later in November. This upcoming event presents another significant opportunity for the team to compete on an international level and strive for a place in the World Cup.
The NCF’s commitment to developing cricket in Nigeria is evident through their comprehensive approach, which includes nurturing young talent, engaging in international competitions, and continuously improving facilities and training programs. The upcoming tournaments for the Under-19 teams and the senior men’s team highlight the federation’s dedication to advancing the sport and achieving success on the global stage.
As the Under-19 boys and girls teams embark on their respective campaigns, the entire nation will be cheering them on, hoping for successful outcomes that will further elevate Nigerian cricket. The NCF’s strategic planning and investment in the future of the sport are paving the way for a bright future, where Nigerian cricket can thrive and achieve remarkable milestones on the world stage.
