Within the last twelve months that the last edition of PwC National U-17 Championship was concluded at the Edo Boys High School in Benin, one of the players that campaigned for the South West, Ridwan Abdulkareem has had a national cap with the Senior national team. And so, the head coach of the present South West team, Azeez Salako said that his team for 2022 would be parading more talents in the mould of Ridwan when hostilities get underway in Abuja next week.
“I think playing in Abuja bodes well for us, at the inaugural edition of the championship, though we finished in fourth place, we were the only team that checkmated the eventual winners from North West,” he said. “Again, in Benin last year, we had some stints, but some of our players shone on individual grounds and I believe we have a stronger side this year. More players in the mould Ridwan.”
Salako, is the Lagos state’s Under 17 Coach and was pick to chaperon the entire South West team following the success of his side in the south West male category while his Oyo State counterpart John Idako will serve as an assistant.
“I have my style as a coach and I believe when the right pieces are put together, success will happen. I believe we have the right blend of pacers, spin bowlers, batters and all-rounders going to this event,” noted Salako, adding he was not oblivious of the responsibility of leading the team hence the assemblage of a compact side that will deliver when the finals begin next week.
The team is currently assembled at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval facility in Lagos and would expectedly depart for Abuja for the national finals days before the championship flags off.
Meanwhile, the 3rd PwC National Under 17 Championship is billed for the Cricket turfs of the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja between February 15 and 20th, with all the 784 players from 31 states now whittled down to the best 84 players representing all the 31 states.
Delia Asuzu, Head Marketing and Communication of PwC said that the Championship has become the breeding ground for champions in such a short time it has run :“we have had a couple of outstanding players graduate form this event and featured as national team members and of course this becomes the template for inviting players for the national camp. I believe it’s because of the rigorous process that the players go through to the national finals. And it helps hone the players and help them give their best.”
Asuzu, said her outfit, Pricewaterhouse coopers sees the event as a tool to promote national unity among the players hence the parade of regional teams at the national finals.