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From Akanimo Kufre, Uyo
Akwa Ibom cricket has recorded a major breakthrough with the invitation of Bright Edem to Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Greens squad for the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier in Rwanda.
Edem’s selection marks a historic first for the state, as he becomes the first male cricketer from Akwa Ibom to earn a call-up to a Nigerian national cricket team.
His achievement ends years of frustration for several male talented players from the state who came close to national selection. Cricketers such as Godswill Effiong, Elijah Saturday, Joseph Edet, Happiness Edet, Ndifreke Okon, and Solomon Akpan were previously invited for national trials but failed to make the final squad. Other standout performers, including Aniekan Ikpewe, Uwem Sunday, and the late Jerome Mbom, were also widely considered worthy of greater national recognition following impressive performances at national and sub-national competitions.
Despite the setbacks experienced in the men’s game, cricket development in Akwa Ibom has made notable progress in recent years, particularly in the women’s category. The state has consistently produced four to five female players for various Nigerian national age-grade teams, a success that contributed to the establishment of a practice net and turf wicket facility in Akwa Ibom, significantly improving local cricket infrastructure. The now-suspended Akwa Ibom State Cricket League also played a key role in nurturing several players who later gained national prominence, including Chiemelie Udekwe and other emerging talents.
Reacting to Edem’s invitation, Coach Edidiong Patrick described the call-up as a well-deserved reward for years of dedication, discipline, and consistent performances.
“This is a long time coming,” Patrick said. “During the U-17 process, Bright demonstrated exceptional class, discipline, and quality performances. The entire Akwa Ibom cricket community is delighted that he has broken the barrier and made this possible. We have had four or five players who came very close before now. My advice to him is to remain focused, keep working hard, and never settle for less.”
Edem’s emergence is being viewed as a significant boost for male cricket in Akwa Ibom, a programme that has endured several unfortunate setbacks over the years.
The state’s male cricket team qualified for the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival but was unable to participate. Similarly, at the Edo 2021 National Sports Festival, the team secured qualification but missed out after COVID-19 regulations restricted participation to only first-placed zonal teams, thereby excluding second-placed qualifiers.
For many stakeholders within the Akwa Ibom cricket community, Edem’s national call-up represents far more than an individual accomplishment. It is seen as a landmark breakthrough capable of inspiring a new generation of male cricketers in the state, while also strengthening the campaign for greater representation of Akwa Ibom talent within the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) structure and future national team selections.
With the Junior Yellow Greens preparing for the Africa Qualifier in Rwanda, all eyes will now be on Bright Edem as he seeks to build on this historic opportunity and further establish Akwa Ibom’s presence on the national cricket stage.
