No age fraud for U-19 qualifiers, says NCF
![Nigerian cricket team](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Nigerian-cricket-team.png)
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) says it will ensure that only players within the age limit represent the country at the U-19 Division One World Cup Qualifiers.
The secretary of the federation, Taiwo Oriss, gave this assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, ahead of the team camp’s commencement on Monday.
The NCF had on Wednesday invited 36 players for a five-day trial in Abuja in preparation for the tournament in October.
“The invitation is a trial to select the final 20 that will participate in the tournament.
“Nigeria is the host and we believe early preparation is key to our success,” he said.
Mr Oriss gave the assurance that the federation took time to screen the players and ensured that only those within the age limit were invited to camp.
“The federation has a 100 per cent control on that (against age cheating). We are reviewing their birth and school certificates.
“We don’t want to have an issue where the selection is poorly done and will bring the name of the country to disrepute,” he said.
The NCF official also added that the 36 players were selected from the National U-17 Cricket Championship in January, as well as the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF).
“The 36 players were drawn from the National U-17 tournament in Benin and the NSF where a few of the players were given the opportunity to represent their state in the festival.
“We noticed very amazing talents at the event. These tournaments produced the crop of the new Under-19 players we have now,” he said.
Mr Oriss also said the best 20 players after the trials would begin close camping and travel for tours in preparation for the continental qualifiers.
Nigeria emerged champions in the Division One qualifiers in 2019 and featured in her first-ever World Cup tournament in South Africa in 2020.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Babagana Monguno](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Babagana-Monguno-.png)
NationWide
Buhari still serious about crushing bandits: NSA Monguno
The Buhari regime has come under pressure from citizens as insecurity escalates across Nigeria on daily basis.
![](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/GbengaSesan_2020S-embed.jpg)
Rights
New platform launched to call out digital rights violations
RIPOTI, a Swahili word that means “report” allows for a community response to digital rights violation cases.
![](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/FRSC.jpg)
States
Eight die, 36 injured as oil truck crashes in Osun
Road safety officials said the vehicle lost control, rolled backwards and fell, spilling off its contents and killing some passengers in the process.
![](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/118308332.jpg)
Africa
Buhari embarrassed Africa by begging U.S. to fight Boko Haram: Ghanaian Journalist
“He should be leaving office; he has not fulfilled his promise to the Nigerian people.
![UNIJOS Main Camp Gate](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/UNIJOS-Main-Camp-Gate.jpg)
Education
Abduction: UNIJOS shuts down students’ hostels
The official said that the outcome of a meeting indicated that the university has become a soft target for insecurity.
![Rauf Aregbesola](https://i1.wp.com/peoplesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/Rauf-Aregbesola.png)
NationWide
Aregbesola declares custodial centres “Red Zones”
The minister’s directive followed the attack on the Owerri Custodial Centre where over 1,884 inmates escaped from custody on April 5.