Nigeria wins ICC Cricket Initiative of the year award

Nigeria has won the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) regional Cricket Development Initiative of the Year award with the PwC U-17 Championship, which has been the rallying point for the country’s national developmental initiative.

According to an ICC statement: “The ICC Development Initiative of the Year award recognises the outstanding development initiative delivered during the year and regional winners include Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), whose U-17 Cricket Championship continues to provide competitive playing opportunities for boys and girls across the country.”

Reacting to the award, yesterday, NCF President, Uyi Akpata, said it couldn’t have come at a better time, adding that “this is an award that celebrates the power of collaboration. PwC and several partners took a gamble on us and backed our developmental initiatives. It is gladdening that, it is yielding results on a global dimension.”

Also excited by the award, Country Senior Partner at PwC Nigeria sponsors of the U-17 Cricket tournament, Sam Abu, said the development confirms the potential they saw and the belief that cricket can galvanise, empower and equip the youths of Nigeria for global impact.

“This global recognition for our joint initiative with the Nigeria Cricket Federation is one we are proud of, especially for the fact that it confirms that the game has the potential to galvanise, empower and equip the youths for global impact,” he said.