Sports
BREAKING BARRIERS: Anambra Student Earns Place in Nigeria’s U-19 Female Cricket Team
By Ikemefuna Asika
Ide Smart Secondary School, Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State, is celebrating a remarkable sporting achievement following the selection of one of its students, Miss Chisom MaryCynthia Okpe, into Nigeria’s 14-player U-19 Female National Cricket Team.
Chisom’s selection, contained in the team list released by the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), marks a significant milestone for the student, her school, the Enugwu-Ukwu community and cricket development in Anambra State.
The young cricketer has made history as the first student of Ide Smart Secondary School and the first female cricketer from Enugwu-Ukwu to represent Nigeria at any level of the national cricket teams.
Her achievement also places her among a select group of female cricketers from Anambra State who have earned national team honours. She becomes the fourth female cricketer from the state to achieve the feat, following Azuka Onwujiobi, the current Development Officer for Anambra State; Sabatina Izuakor; and Chinemerem Ibe.
Chisom is expected to join 13 other players as Nigeria prepares for the forthcoming U-19 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers Series in Tanzania, scheduled to commence on August 30, 2026.
Her emergence is being seen as a major boost for grassroots cricket in Anambra, demonstrating the potential of sustained investment in youth development and school-based sports programmes.
For Ide Smart Secondary School, the achievement is also a validation of its commitment to identifying, nurturing and developing young sporting talents.
The school’s coach, Dumebi Okoye, popularly known as “Dunga,” congratulated Chisom on the landmark achievement.
“The school, the Enugwu-Ukwu community and Anambra State congratulate Chisom on this remarkable achievement. We wish her and the Nigerian U-19 Female Cricket Team great success as they represent our country in Tanzania,” Okoye said.
The achievement has also been linked to the continued development of cricket in Anambra State under the leadership of Barrister Chuma Anosike, Chairman of the Anambra State Cricket Association. His administration’s efforts to promote the sport and create opportunities for young players have contributed to the growing profile of cricket in the state.
Reacting to Chisom’s selection, the Anambra State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, also congratulated the young athlete and wished her success with the national team.
Agha Mba reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting sports development, particularly at the grassroots level, where young talents can be identified and nurtured for future national and international competitions.
Chisom’s selection is therefore more than a personal achievement. It represents a significant moment for Enugwu-Ukwu, Ide Smart Secondary School and Anambra cricket, while providing further evidence that grassroots sporting programmes can produce athletes capable of competing on the national and international stage.
Nigeria U-19 Female Cricket Team
- Shola Adejunle
- Anointed Akhigbe
- Deborah Bassey
- Jiessica Bieni
- Christabel Chukwuonye — Captain
- Favour Effiong
- Omosigho Eguakun
- Jessica Godwin
- Glory Idiahi
- Beauty Oguai
- Chisom Okpe
- Praise Onaghise
- Iyene Ubong
- Peace Usen
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