The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has won the ICC x Rexona Criiio Cricket Festival of the Year Award, a prestigious global recognition celebrating outstanding innovation and impact in grassroots cricket development.
According to a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by Zeal Ibe, Media Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, the award recognised the federation’s transformative Criiio Cricket Festival held in Zamfara.
He said the initiative demonstrated how cricket could serve as a powerful tool for inclusion, empowerment and social change.
He said the festival which was organised under the theme “Breaking Barriers” had taken cricket to a region where access to sports and education for girls had historically been limited.
He said that by combining sports, culture and strong community engagement, the initiative challenged long-standing barriers, promoted greater participation and laid the foundation for a sustainable legacy for women’s cricket across Northwest Nigeria.
He added that the award reinforced the federation’s commitment to ensuring that cricket reached every community, regardless of geography or circumstance.
He said the commitment also focused on creating opportunities for young people, especially girls, to learn, grow and thrive through sport.
Ibe said the recognition further highlighted Nigeria’s growing reputation as one of cricket’s leading development nations.
“The federation continues to pioneer programmes that use the game to drive education, gender inclusion and community development,’ he said.
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The Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Jay Shah praised this year’s award recipients.
“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world.
“This year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention,” Shah said.
Transforming Cricket
Speaking on the achievement, Uyi Akpata, President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, described the award as a victory for every stakeholder who believed in the transformative power of cricket.
“This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey.
“The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.
“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria,” he said.
The federation also expressed appreciation to the ICC, Rexona, community leaders, schools, volunteers, coaches, development officers, state associations and every participant whose dedication made the initiative a resounding success.
It added that as Nigeria continued its ambitious cricket development agenda, the global recognition would serve as further motivation to expand access to the game and inspire the next generation of cricketers across the country.
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