The Nigeria Cricket Federation has announced that the fifth edition of the Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20 International (WT20i) tournament will now be known as the Patricia Kambarami Cup, in honour of late cricket development icon Patricia Kambarami.
The tournament, scheduled to hold from March 18 to 29, 2026, at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, celebrates Kambarami’s immense contributions to the growth of cricket across Africa.
Read Also: Federal Government Fulfills Promises as D’Tigress Receives Documents of Houses and National Honours | Sports247 Nigeria
New Twist for the 2026 Edition
This year’s tournament introduces an exciting development with the participation of two youth sides for the first time.
The South Africa Women Under-19 cricket team and Zimbabwe Women Under-19 cricket team will join the competition, adding fresh energy and showcasing the next generation of cricket stars on the continent.
The teams will compete alongside senior national sides from Nigeria, Rwanda, and Ghana, setting the stage for an exciting contest in Lagos.
With new contenders and a new legacy, the competition promises to deliver thrilling cricket as teams battle for one prestigious trophy — the Patricia Kambarami Cup.
About Patricia Kambarami
Patricia Kambarami was a respected cricket administrator and the Regional Development Manager for Africa at the International Cricket Council (ICC) until her passing in May 2024.
A Zimbabwean sports administrator, Kambarami played a key role in expanding cricket across the African continent.
She previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Titans Cricket Team and also held a development role at Cricket South Africa before joining the ICC in 2017.
During her tenure with the ICC, she oversaw major growth initiatives in several emerging cricket nations, with countries like Nigeria and Rwanda benefiting from expanded development programmes.
Her dedication to the sport and tireless work promoting cricket across Africa earned her the affectionate nickname “Mama Africa.”
Renaming the tournament in her honour ensures her legacy continues to inspire the next generation of cricketers across the continent.
){kind=link}