Abuja: PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has reiterated its support for the development of cricket in the country. It lauded the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) for its ‘governance structure and fruitful partnership’ over the past six years. Tolu Adeleke, PwC Representative, made these remarks at a news conference on Wednesday ahead of the sixth PwC/NCF U17 National Cricket Championship in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adeleke appreciated the efforts of the federation, highlighting that the partnership has been rewarding. He emphasized the structured approach of the NCF with clearly articulated plans, which has made their collaboration seamless. The partnership’s success is evident as talents discovered from the competition have gone on to represent Nigeria internationally. Notably, many players who participated in the U19 World Cup in January were discovered through this tournament. Adeleke expressed satisfaction with the tournament’s contributions to the sport’s growth in the country and confirmed PwC’s continued support. The competition not only enhances cricket skills but also instills values such as friendship and teamwork, aligning with PwC’s values.
Sani Muhammed, the NCF Secretary-General, acknowledged PwC’s significant role in discovering cricket talents in Nigeria. He noted that the National Sports Commission commends PwC for nurturing talent through grassroots programs like this. Historical records show that many players from the national teams have emerged from the PwC programme. Muhammed reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the sport’s development.
Meanwhile, Joseph Eshua, the NCF Technical Director, stated that the tournament will serve as a platform to select 50 male and 50 female players for the Under-19 national team camp. The sixth edition of the PwC/NCF tournament is set to begin on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday in Abuja.
