Cricket stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State have celebrated a historic milestone following the invitation of Bright Edem to Nigeria’s Junior Yellow Greens squad ahead of the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifier campaign in Rwanda.
Edem becomes the first male cricketer from Akwa Ibom State to receive a call-up to a Nigerian national cricket team, ending years of near misses for several talented players from the state.
Before his breakthrough, notable performers such as Godswill Effiong, Elijah Saturday, Joseph Edet, Happiness Edet, Ndifreke Okon, and Solomon Akpan were invited for national trials but failed to secure final selection. Other outstanding players, including Aniekan Ikpewe, Uwem Sunday, and the late Jerome Mbom, were widely regarded as deserving of greater national recognition after impressive displays in both national and sub-national competitions.
Akwa Ibom’s cricket development has, however, enjoyed significant progress in recent years, particularly in the women’s game, where the state has consistently produced four to five female players for various Nigerian national age-grade teams. That sustained success contributed to the establishment of a practice net and turf wicket facility in the state, strengthening local cricket infrastructure.
The now-suspended Akwa Ibom State Cricket League also played an important role in nurturing talents who progressed to national prominence, including Chiemelie Udekwe and other emerging players.
Reacting to Edem’s invitation, Coach Edidiong Patrick described the achievement as a deserved reward for years of hard work and consistent performances.
“This is a long time coming,” Patrick told sports reporters. “Through the U-17 process, Bright showed class, discipline, and quality performances. The entire Akwa Ibom cricket community is delighted that he has broken the ice and made this call-up possible. We have had four or five players who came close before now. My advice to him is to keep doing his best and never settle for less.”
The call-up is also being viewed as a significant boost for male cricket in Akwa Ibom, a programme that has faced several setbacks over the years.
The state’s male cricket team qualified for the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival but was unable to participate. Again, at the Edo 2021 National Sports Festival, the team secured qualification, only to miss out after COVID-19 regulations reduced the competition to only first-placed zonal teams, excluding second-placed qualifiers.
For many within the Akwa Ibom cricket community, Bright Edem’s emergence represents more than an individual achievement. It is a breakthrough that could inspire a new generation of male cricketers in the state and strengthen the push for greater representation of Akwa Ibom talent within the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) structure and future national team selections.
