Cricket Federation Rewards YellowGreens With University Scholarships After World Cup Qualification

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) on Tuesday honoured the Junior Female YellowGreens for qualifying for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The ceremony took place at the Cricket Oval,  Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos.
The team secured its place at the World Cup after an impressive campaign at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Tanzania.
The qualifier started on Aug. 30 to Sept. 6.
The reception brought together the players, their teammates, friends, members of the NCF board and supporters, to celebrate the feat.
The NCF President, Uyi Akpata, commended the players for setting a new standard and promised to support their education through university.
“On behalf of the Nigerian Cricket Federation, I want to say that you are all on full scholarship until you finish your university education,” he said.
The announcement was received with excitement by the players and other guests at the reception.
Akpata said the support was not only about rewarding the players, but also encouraging them to combine their sporting careers with academic excellence.
“We must also continue to do our best when it comes to schooling; it is those intelligence, those things you do and more importantly, the family that separates you from others,” he said.
He said the federation’s goal was to develop athletes who would also be equipped for life beyond cricket.
The NCF president urged the players to maintain the high standard they had set and aim for a strong performance at the World Cup.
Nigeria finished sixth at its previous U19 World Cup in Malaysia.
“This first time we went, we did not have any experience. We didn’t know what to expect and we came sixth.
“So what do we expect this time; we know what to expect, we are better prepared and we have a group of talented young stars,” he said.
Akpata, however, urged the players  not to be under pressure to achieve a particular position at the World Cup.
The NCF president said the success of the U19 women’s team should also inspire other Nigerian teams.
He expressed hope that the U19 boys and the senior national team would follow the girls’ example and achieve historic qualification of their own.
“More importantly, you have set the standard, Let us  just give it 100 per cent,” Akpata said.
On her part, Christabel Chukwuonye said her appointment as captain of the team initially came with a lot of pressure.
She, however said Head Coach, Sarah Bakhita helped her understand that leadership was about allowing the team to work together.
“My coach just told me, I don’t want you to play your own game. Let the team carry itself. The team will do its own job,” she stated.
She said the team adopted the advice and worked together throughout the competition.
“Everybody was communicating, everybody was contributing, everybody was putting in their efforts,” she said.
Chukwuonye said the players understood on arrival in Tanzania, that they had to make history for Nigeria.
“The bigger picture is out there in Tanzania,” she said.
She also lauded the coaching and support staff, for helping the players cope with international cricket, school, personal responsibilities and the pressure of representing Nigeria.
She specifically thanked Bakhita, Coaches Agatha Uadiale, Theophilus Ibodeme and the team’s physiotherapist, Gift Udeh.
“You were able to put us together and ensure that we leave other things first and focus on the game,” she said.
Chukwuonye also recalled the tense final over of the tournament, when Nigeria needed six runs to win.
She said she decided to give the ball to Anointed Akhigbe, her team mate, in spite of  the pressure surrounding the decision.
The captain said the batters and available bowlers were under pressure, but trusted Akhigbe to deliver.
She said she then urged the bowler to remain calm, believe in herself and trust the team.
“I don’t want you to do anything extra. Just first of all, believe that you can do it, everything that will come to this, we fight as a team, we win as a team,” she said.
According to her, the decision paid off, as Nigeria secure the victory and the World Cup ticket.
Chukwuonye said the moment showed the importance of teamwork and trust when the pressure was high.
Also speaking, Coach Bakhita, said the qualification showed what young female cricketers could achieve with proper structure, preparation and support.
“The girls have shown that when they are given the right opportunity and support, they can compete at the highest level,” Bakhita said.
She said the achievement should motivate more young girls to take up cricket and work toward representing Nigeria at international competitions.
“The Junior Female YellowGreens have now earned another opportunity to represent Nigeria on the global stage.
“Their success has also provided young girls across the country with role models and renewed belief that they can progress from local cricket to the World Cup.
“Tanzania provided the ticket, while the World Cup will provide another stage for the young Nigerians to showcase their talent,” she said.