The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has confirmed that preparations are complete for the 7th edition of its flagship National Under-17 Cricket Championship, with zonal qualifiers scheduled to commence across the country.
A total of 36 states will participate in the preliminary stage, competing within their respective zones for qualification slots in both the Boys and Girls categories.
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The championship remains the largest age-grade cricket competition in Nigeria and the North-west African region, reinforcing its reputation as the backbone of the country’s cricket development pipeline.
According to the Federation, the U-17 structure continues to deliver measurable returns. More than 70 per cent of the current senior Men’s and Women’s National Teams emerged from the championship, while the entire composition of Nigeria’s male and female Under-19 teams are products of the competition.
Zonal Qualification Schedule
North -Central: February 26 – March 1, 2026
North-west: February 25 – March 1, 2026
North-east: February 25 – March 1, 2026
South-west: February 18 – 21, 2026
South-east: February 18 – 22, 2026
South-South: February 25 – March 1, 2026
Host Centres
The North Central qualifiers will take place at the twin cricket oval of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Package B, Abuja. Kaduna State will host the North-west zone, while Adamawa State will stage the North-east competition.
In the southern belt, Edo State will host the South-South qualifiers. Government College, Owerri will welcome teams from the Southeast, while Ogun State will serve as host for the Southwest zone.
With grassroots development firmly positioned as a strategic priority, the 2026 edition is expected to unearth another wave of emerging talents poised to strengthen Nigeria’s growing presence on the international stage.
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