The Nigeria Cricket Federation has been named the winner of the ICC/Rexona Criiio Cricket Festival of the Year Award, a global recognition celebrating innovation and impact in grassroots cricket development, The PUNCH reports.The NCF received the award for its transformative Criiio Cricket Festival held in Zamfara State, an initiative that showcased cricket as a vehicle for inclusion, empowerment and social change.Other nominees for the award were the Bahrain Cricket Federation, Qatar Cricket Association, Emirates Cricket Board, Persatuan Cricket Indonesia and the Confederação Brasileira de Cricket.Held under the theme “Breaking Barriers,” the festival introduced cricket to a region where access to sport and education for girls has traditionally been limited. By combining sport, culture and community engagement, the initiative challenged long-standing barriers, encouraged greater participation and laid the foundation for the sustainable growth of women’s cricket across Northwest Nigeria.President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the award as a victory for everyone committed to the development of the sport.Related NewsAkpata unveils plans for Nigeria Super League growthCricket: Salau, Udekwe top Nigeria Super League leaderboardOld boys launch cricket revival at St. Gregory’s“This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey. The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” The NCF received the award for its transformative Criiio Cricket Festival held in Zamfara State, an initiative that showcased cricket as a vehicle for inclusion, empowerment and social change.Other nominees for the award were the Bahrain Cricket Federation, Qatar Cricket Association, Emirates Cricket Board, Persatuan Cricket Indonesia and the Confederação Brasileira de Cricket.Held under the theme “Breaking Barriers,” the festival introduced cricket to a region where access to sport and education for girls has traditionally been limited. By combining sport, culture and community engagement, the initiative challenged long-standing barriers, encouraged greater participation and laid the foundation for the sustainable growth of women’s cricket across Northwest Nigeria.President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the award as a victory for everyone committed to the development of the sport.Related NewsAkpata unveils plans for Nigeria Super League growthCricket: Salau, Udekwe top Nigeria Super League leaderboardOld boys launch cricket revival at St. Gregory’s“This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey. The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” Other nominees for the award were the Bahrain Cricket Federation, Qatar Cricket Association, Emirates Cricket Board, Persatuan Cricket Indonesia and the Confederação Brasileira de Cricket.Held under the theme “Breaking Barriers,” the festival introduced cricket to a region where access to sport and education for girls has traditionally been limited. By combining sport, culture and community engagement, the initiative challenged long-standing barriers, encouraged greater participation and laid the foundation for the sustainable growth of women’s cricket across Northwest Nigeria.President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the award as a victory for everyone committed to the development of the sport.Related NewsAkpata unveils plans for Nigeria Super League growthCricket: Salau, Udekwe top Nigeria Super League leaderboardOld boys launch cricket revival at St. Gregory’s“This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey. The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” Held under the theme “Breaking Barriers,” the festival introduced cricket to a region where access to sport and education for girls has traditionally been limited. By combining sport, culture and community engagement, the initiative challenged long-standing barriers, encouraged greater participation and laid the foundation for the sustainable growth of women’s cricket across Northwest Nigeria.President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the award as a victory for everyone committed to the development of the sport.Related NewsAkpata unveils plans for Nigeria Super League growthCricket: Salau, Udekwe top Nigeria Super League leaderboardOld boys launch cricket revival at St. Gregory’s“This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey. The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, Uyi Akpata, described the award as a victory for everyone committed to the development of the sport.Related NewsAkpata unveils plans for Nigeria Super League growthCricket: Salau, Udekwe top Nigeria Super League leaderboardOld boys launch cricket revival at St. Gregory’s“This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey. The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” “This award is a proud moment for Nigeria Cricket and for everyone who has contributed to our grassroots development journey. The Criiio Festival in Zamfara showed what is possible when communities, partners and passionate volunteers come together with a shared vision.“We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” “We dedicate this recognition to every young girl whose life has been touched by cricket and reaffirm our commitment to breaking more barriers and creating even greater opportunities across Nigeria.”International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” International Cricket Council chairman Jay Shah also hailed this year’s award recipients.“These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.” “These Awards were established to celebrate the extraordinary work being delivered by our Associate Members around the world, and this year’s winners are outstanding examples of how cricket can inspire participation, create opportunity, strengthen communities and deliver performances that capture global attention.”