The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has achieved significant recognition for its women’s cricket program, earning a nomination for the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year Award. This nomination follows their triumph as the regional winner in the 2024 ICC Development Awards, highlighting their remarkable progress and contributions to the growth of women’s cricket in Africa. This acknowledgment underscores Nigeria’s emergence as a force to be reckoned with on the global cricket stage, demonstrating their commitment to developing young talent and fostering competitive excellence. The NCF’s success serves as an inspiration for other emerging cricket nations, illustrating the transformative power of strategic development programs and dedicated efforts in nurturing future generations of cricketers.
The NCF’s nomination is a testament to the outstanding achievements of their women’s teams throughout the year. Their success in securing a spot at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia is a major accomplishment, showcasing the talent and dedication of their young players. Furthermore, the Female Yellow Greens’ bronze medal at the Africa Games in Ghana further solidifies Nigeria’s growing prowess in women’s cricket, demonstrating their ability to compete and succeed at a high level. These accomplishments not only bring pride to the nation but also contribute to the rising profile of women’s cricket globally, inspiring more girls and women to participate in the sport.
The ICC Development Awards, established in 2002, serve as a platform to recognize and celebrate the groundbreaking initiatives and programs driving the global expansion of cricket. These awards acknowledge the significant strides made by ICC members in emerging cricket nations, highlighting their efforts to promote inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable growth within the sport. The introduction of the new ICC X Rexona criiio Festival of the Year award further expands the scope of the 2024 awards to seven categories, emphasizing the diverse and dynamic landscape of cricket development initiatives worldwide.
This year’s nominees for the Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year Award, alongside Nigeria, include the Emirates Cricket Board (Asia), Persatuan Cricket Indonesia (East Asia Pacific), and Cricket Scotland (Europe). These regional winners represent a diverse range of cricketing landscapes and demonstrate the global reach of the sport. Each nominee has made significant contributions to the development of women’s cricket within their respective regions, highlighting the collective effort to promote gender equality and empower women through sports. The global award winner will be selected by a distinguished and independent panel of experts, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
The panel of voters tasked with selecting the global winners comprises prominent figures in the cricketing world, including Indian cricket legend VVS Laxman, former West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree, and former White Ferns wicketkeeper-batter Katey Martin. Their expertise and experience will be invaluable in evaluating the nominees and determining the most deserving recipients of the awards. The panel also includes representatives from ICC partners, ICC full members, and the media, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced perspective in the evaluation process.
ICC Chairman, Mr. Jay Shah, congratulated the regional winners, emphasizing the significance of the ICC Development Awards in recognizing the growth and progress of Associate Members. He highlighted the role of cricket as a catalyst for positive change, underscoring how the various programs and projects implemented by ICC members reflect their unwavering dedication to expanding the sport’s reach within their territories. Mr. Shah’s words of encouragement and recognition serve as a powerful reminder of the collective efforts driving the global development of cricket and the transformative impact of the sport on communities around the world.
