Young cricketers from all 36 states compete across six geopolitical zones for places at the 2026 National U-17 Championships in Abuja.

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced the commencement of zonal qualifiers across the country’s six geopolitical zones for the 2026 National Under-17 Boys and Girls Championships.

The qualifiers kicked off on February 18 in the South West and South East zones and will run until March 1. Players from all 36 states are expected to compete for qualification to the main championship scheduled to hold in Abuja.

Matches in the South West zone are taking place at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, while the South East qualifiers are being hosted at Government College, Owerri.

The qualifiers will move to the North West zone on February 25, with matches billed for Kaduna, while Adamawa State will host teams competing in the North East zone.

In the South South, matches will be played in Edo State, while the North Central qualifiers will take place at the twin cricket ovals of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, Abuja.

Describing the competition as a cornerstone of youth development, the NCF said the National U-17 Championship remains the biggest age-grade cricket tournament in Nigeria and West Africa.

“The National U-17 Championship serves as a vital platform for identifying the next generation of national team players,” the federation said.

According to the NCF, about 70 per cent of players currently in Nigeria’s senior national teams progressed through the U-17 system, while all players in the national U-19 male and female teams are products of the championship.

The tournament has continued to serve as a key talent-development pathway, with several alumni representing Nigeria at the most recent ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia.