The National Sports Commission (NSC) has granted a $5,000 financial boost to Nigeria’s U-19 women’s cricket team ahead of their final Super 6 match at the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the NSC, with the funds aimed at supporting the team’s campaign as they chase history in the 16-nation tournament.
The Junior Female Yellow Greens are set to face Ireland on Wednesday in a must-win match, with hopes of securing a spot in the semi-finals. In addition to the $5,000 boost, the NSC’s Director-General, Bukola Olopade, made a personal contribution of $1,000 to team captain, Piety Lucky to fulfill her request for a laptop.
Olopade conveyed messages of support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, urging the team to continue their remarkable performance. “Additional incentives have been promised for each subsequent victory,” the NSC said in a statement on X.
Despite their first Super 6 match against England being washed out on Saturday, the Junior Female Yellow Greens remain in contention for a semi-final spot. With three points from two matches, Nigeria are currently third in Super Six Group 2, ahead of the USA on net run rate. South Africa leads the group with six points, followed by England with four.
Nigeria had set a semi-final target before the tournament, and their progress into the Super 6 stage, including a stunning win over New Zealand in the group stage, is a significant achievement. They will now look to extend their historic run when they take on Ireland on Wednesday at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi. The top two teams in the Super 6 will advance to the semi-finals.
