With the exploits of the victorious U-19 National team(aka Junior Yellow Greens) of Nigeria who emerged champions of the U-19 Championship Division 2 in South Africa, much attention will be shifted to the 2018 National Youth Games to be hosted by Ilorin, Kwara State.
This event scheduled to kick off between 7th to 17th September, 2018 will for the first time have the U-15 grade to be launched in the game of cricket.
Cricket being an emerging sports In Rivers State has recorded unprecedented successes as its U-17 Boys Cricket team were the Zonal Champions last year while the U-17 girls Cricket Team were third in the Zonal preliminary stages behind Akwa Ibom State Girls Cricket & Edo State Girls Cricket teams who emerged first and second position respectively.
Coach of the Rivers State Cricket team, Coach Tonye Timinadi, he stated that all preparation are on top gear to ensure that the Rivers State Cricket team will bring accolades to the state.
Coach Tonye reiterated that his U-15 team(boys and girls) are physically and psychologically ready to go out all the way to win for the state.
The secretary of the Rivers State Cricket Association, Mr. Chimenem Iroanwusi expressed confidence that the Rivers state Cricket team will go far because the Rivers State Government through the Rivers State Cricket Association and Rivers State Sports Council have supported the team in terms of preparations before and through out their participation in the 2018 National Youth Games in Ilorin.
“We are leaving no stone unturned as the Rivers State Cricket team have been preparing in earnest ahead of the National Youth games to win so as to put smiles on the faces of Cricket Sports loving people of Rivers State.”
The Rivers State U-15 Cricket team will be jetting out of the state on Friday 7th September 2018 to Ilorin to represent Rivers State in the 4th National Youth Games.