The National Sports Commission (NSC) has lauded the Junior Female Yellow Greens for their outstanding achievements at the T20 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia, where they made history as Nigeria’s first female cricket team to qualify for the prestigious tournament.
The team’s remarkable journey to the World Cup, coupled with their impressive performances in Malaysia, has captivated the sporting community. Not only did they qualify for the World Cup, but they also defeated cricket powerhouses New Zealand and Iceland, securing an automatic spot for the next U19 World Cup.
Their stellar performance earned them a place in the top six, a remarkable feat considering they were debutants at the competition.
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Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, was full of praise for the Junior Female Yellow Greens, calling their performance “monumental” and a significant moment for Nigerian sports.
“These girls gave our country another global recognition with what they achieved in Malaysia. Many people used to think Nigeria is only good in a few sports like football, but our U19 team showed the other side of our sporting potential as a country, making it to Nigeria’s first-ever Cricket World Cup and doing so well,” Dikko said.
The NSC Chairman highlighted the importance of this achievement as proof of the diverse sporting talent emerging from Nigeria, expanding beyond traditional favorites like football.
Dikko also reiterated the commission’s commitment to improving sports across the nation, particularly at the grassroots level. He emphasized the Renewed Hope initiatives for the Nigeria Sports Economy (RHINSE), which aims to build a sustainable sporting ecosystem that nurtures young talent and provides pathways for growth.
“Our target now is to improve on this momentum from the World Cup and support the Nigeria Cricket Federation to ensure more talents are discovered from the grassroots for the sustainable growth of the sport,” Dikko added.
A Vision for Sports Development
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bukola Olapade, praised the team’s performance as an embodiment of the NSC’s vision for sports development in Nigeria. He also noted that the team’s success aligns with the broader vision for Nigerian sports under President Buhari’s leadership.
“What we saw these girls display in Malaysia just helps to buttress the new dawn that Mr President has brought into Nigerian sports with the establishment of the Sports Commission,” Olapade said. “We are very excited that every sport is aligning to the vision.”
Heroic Welcome for the Team
The Junior Female Yellow Greens received a warm and heroic welcome upon their return to Nigeria. The NSC arranged a reception at Lagos Airport to honor their achievements. Dr Uyi Akpata, president of the Nigerian Cricket Association, as well as top officials and journalists, were present to celebrate the team’s success.
The team’s performance at the World Cup has undoubtedly filled the nation with pride, and their return was a fitting tribute to their hard work, dedication, and historical achievement.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens have made an indelible mark in Nigerian sports history, and their success is seen as a step toward further growth and development for women’s cricket in Nigeria.
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