The second edition of the Abuja Female Invitational tournament organized by Helping Hands Consult in collaboration with the Nigeria Cricket Federation and strongly supported by the FCT Cricket Association, Pets Foundation, Childcare & Wellness Clinics / Revitalize Wellness Garden, Abuja began on Thursday 26th October 2023. The tournament which had its maiden edition as a six-a-side event has grown to become a T-20 tournament with 3 teams participating including teams from outside Abuja.
The tournament which had its maiden edition as a six-a-side event has grown to become a T-20 tournament with 3 teams participating including teams from outside Abuja.
The 3 teams involved in this year’s tournament are Team North Central (TNC) which comprises of players from Abuja, Niger, Kogi and Plateau States respectively, Kaduna State women’s team and the surprise but very pleasant inclusion of the Ikorodu Cricket Development team from Lagos State.
Speaking with our correspondent, the General Manager of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Mr. Emeka Igwilo, said he was delighted at the turn out of events, noting that the NCF was very excited to be part of this initiative by Helping Hands Consult and that informed the NCF supporting the tournament fully because Women’s Cricket is a very important part of our Cricket Development and thatvthe NCF will continue to put things in place to support the development of the game in all areas.
Coach with the Ikorodu Cricket team was excited with his team being able to participate in the event as this was the first opportunity to have the girls travel out of the state for a properly organized tournament.
‘’Coming all the way from Lagos for this tournament is a testament of our determination to play Cricket, this is a huge experience for the kids and I am sure the gains from this trip would further help to develop their minds and spirit into all the possibilities Cricket could offer them.
He also reserved special appreciation to the Lagos State Ministry of Education for their support in making this trip a huge success.
In Day 1 of the tournament, Team Kaduna started the strongly by winning both matches played with team FCT with 1 win and Ikorodu community hoping to get back into the tournament with their first win as they faced team FCT in the morning fixtures of Day 1, however, lost the game.
Medical Director, Childcare & Wellness Clinics- Abuja, one of the sponsors preventing a plaque to the MVP of the tournament from the Kaduna State team.
Besides playing Cricket, Helping Hands Consult is a Guidance and Counselling firm which provides health talks, mental health awareness and career advice to young girls and as part of the tournament structure, there was a 3 hour Health and Wellness Seminar by experts on Saturday morning for all the participants before the final match in the afternoon.
The final Match of the tournament which took place on Saturday, 27th October, saw the FCT team play against the KSCC from Kaduna and at the end of the game, Kaduna State won and were crowned champions.
