The North West team at the NATIONAL UNDER 17 CHAMPIONSHIP yesterday emerged winners at the maiden event with eight points from five matches at a net run rate of 4.86 at the CRICKET OVAL OF THE NATIONAL STADIUM in Abuja. The event is sponsored by PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS (PWC).
Captain of the team, BONIFACE OCHE, who is also a member of the national under 19 team led the youthful side to an easy run until the team got ditched by the South West team in their last match, losing by six wickets.
PROFESSOR YAHAYA UKWENYA, President of the Federation said the event is a very brilliant way of discovering and growing cricket talent across the country.
“We are very glad at the level of talents on display here and we are also appreciative of the support gotten from PwC. This perhaps is the deepest we have gone in exposing all the youths across the nation to competitive event. I believe the players discovered from the effort is nationalistic”
He added that the event also presented a team from the NORTH EAST for the first time in over a decade since cricket activities has slowed down in the region because of insurgency.
The team from BORNO STATE, represented the region and lost all their matches in the finals, but was applauded throughout the event for brazing the odds to feature at the national event.
The team from South-South finished in second place with seven points and a net run rate of 1.81 while South-West and South East finished with six points apiece.
TOLU ADELEKE a partner at PWC said that the event ties well with the values of the organization with the youthfulness and diversity that the event showcased throughout its duration.
“Cricket has some strong values that it passes down and we are particularly glad that this event was able to get cricket enthusiast in the North East to assemble a team for this event.”
More than 1000 kids participated in the event that kicked off as regional event across the nation and featured both boys and girls.
The girls team from the South-South won the girl’s event that was concluded last weekend.
