Nigeria U-19 Cricket team AKA Junior Yellow Greens arrived the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday 25th March to a Hero’s welcome by Fans, Cricket Enthusiasts, Media and more…
Following their exploits at the just concluded ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifier in Windhoek Namibia which they emerged as champions, Nigeria went all the way to shocking host country Namibia in the first game, Humbled Kenya in the second Game, Shattered the Cranes of Uganda in the 3rd game, Brushed aside Tanzania in the 4th game and finally established the Nigeria dominance of the sport in West Africa in the final game against Sierra Leone.
The team was hosted to a Dinner in Lagos by the Vice President of the Federation Mr Uyi Akpata, who could not contain his excitement at the feat achieved by the Junior Yellow Greens in Namibia. Mr Akpata explained that it’s hard to believe all the achievement by the present Board of the Federation considering the fact that they have only been in operations less than 2 years since their Inauguration in July 2017. He further emphasizes that the achievement recorded by the Junior Yellow Greens is one amongst many other successes expected in the near future.
On the 26th of March in Abuja, the latest sports heroes in the country was received by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barr. Solomon Selcap Dalung at the Ministerial Conference room. The team was led by the President of the Federation Prof. Yahaya Adam Ukwenya who was greeted with loud cheers by directors and staff of the Ministry.
After the tradition rituals of observing protocols and introduction of the players, the President in his remarks took time to explain the history of the qualification process by the Junior Yellow Greens since their involvement in Div. 2 last year in South-Africa. He tagged the team as heroes because they were faced with 2 major challenges which were 1. Re-writing the history books for Cricket in Nigeria and also Establishing the true nature of Nigerians by bearing the burden of over 200 million determined and resilient citizens.
The Minister in his response, started with his popular sentence “Success has many parents but failure is an Orphan”. He expressed his excitement by heaping praises on the Junior Yellow Greens citing that the qualification of the Nigeria team to the ICC U-19 World Cup is the greatest achievement of the ministry during his tenure. Bar. Dalung said the timely victory of the Nigeria team especially in the transition period of change in the country is a welcome development and a proof that the country is heading in the right direction as far as sports in concerned in the country. He further credited the all-round success of sports in the country to the democratization of the Federation elections which saw genuine leaders elected into various positions.
The Minister in his closing remarks, promised that the Ministry will provide the necessary support for the Junior Yellow Greens in preparation for the world cup proper to ensure that they have a successful tournament.