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By: Abiodun Adewale
The National Finals of the fifth PwC National U-17 Cricket Championship will now be held from February 14 to 19 at the twin ovals of Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, the Nigeria Cricket Federation has announced.
The finals were initially scheduled for February 7 to 11, following the completion of the zonal eliminations in January. However, two of the zones are yet to complete their games.
General Manager of the federation, Emeka Igwilo, who doubles as the co-chair of the 2024 organising committee of the national event said the one-week move was necessary to allow for regions that had pleaded for a shift in their qualifying dates to have time to practice and bond ahead of the finals.
“So far, out of six regions, four, including South-West, South-South, North-Central, and North East, have all concluded their regional qualifications. North-West and South-East will be having their regional finals this weekend, and this means that the kids will have a few days to report to Abuja for the national finals.
“The board of the NCF has asked for an additional week for them to be able to assemble their regional teams and a few days of practice before the national finals, hence the shift. Some major logistics for the event will also benefit from the shift as well.” He added.
From the concluded regional events so far, Ogun State’s girls’ team and Oyo state’s boys’ team ruled the South-West qualifiers. In North Central, it was Niger State’s boys and Kwara State’s girls’ team that ruled the series. Edo State boys and girls team dominated the South-South qualifiers just as Gombe State ruled the North East.
The national finals will feature teams representing the regions.
