The National Sports Commission (NSC) has showered accolades on the Junior Female Yellow Greens for their phenomenal performance at the T20 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.
The team’s impressive feat began with their groundbreaking qualification for the World Cup, a first for any Nigerian female cricket team. Their remarkable journey didn’t stop there; they went on to defeat cricket powerhouse New Zealand and Iceland, securing an automatic spot in the next U19 World Cup.
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the team finished in the top six, a feat that has left the sporting community in awe. Considering they were debutants, this achievement is all the more remarkable and a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.

NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko hailed the performance of the U19 Cricket team as “monumental” and worthy of recognition: “These girls gave our country another global recognition with what they achieved in Malaysia. You know 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 also emphasized the commission’s commitment to improving every sport from the grassroots level: “As a commission, this is why we believe in the continuous improvement of every sport from the grassroots through the Renewed Hope initiatives for Nigeria Sports Economy, RHINSE, campaign.”
According to Dikko, the commission’s focus is on creating a sustainable sporting ecosystem that nurtures young talent and provides opportunities for growth and development: “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 a sustainable growth of the sport.”
Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bukola Olapade, noted that the U19 Cricket team exemplified the commission’s vision for sports development: “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, and we are very excited that every sport is aligning to the vision.”
Olapade confirmed that arrangements had been made to give the team a heroic welcome upon their return to their country: “We are not sweeping their achievements in Malaysia under the carpet, and this is why we have made arrangements for them to be properly welcomed back when they return to the country on Friday in Lagos.”
Upon their return to Nigeria, the Junior Female Yellow Greens received a heroic welcome, with the president of the Nigerian Cricket Association, Dr Uyi Akpata, top officials, and journalists in attendance. The team’s achievement has undoubtedly brought pride to the nation, and their welcome home was a fitting tribute to their hard work and dedication.
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