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Etim, a 31-year-old cricketing veteran, recently retired after a stellar 13-year career with the national team.
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) announced on Thursday that former national women's team captain Blessing Etim has been selected for the ICC's prestigious "100% Cricket Heroes" series.
This initiative by the Cricket governing body celebrates the often-overlooked contributions of women in the sport.
Etim, a 31-year-old cricketing veteran, recently retired after a stellar 13-year career with the national team. Her leadership culminated in a bronze medal win for Nigeria at the 2023 African Games in Ghana.
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Blessing Etim, the player with the most tenure and experience, will serve as the team's captain, and Favour Esiegbe will serve as the vice-captain.
Etim's love for cricket began during her student days in 2004. She donned the coveted "Female Yellow Greens" jersey for the first time in 2011, and her international T20 debut for Nigeria came in January 2019 against Rwanda. Etim went on to represent her country in a remarkable 63 T20 international matches.
Retirement hasn't stopped Etim from contributing to Nigerian cricket. She continues her association with the NCF, serving as a coach and development officer in Akwa Ibom State.
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This role has seen her unearth new talents, including batter Salome Sunday, who now plays for the national team. Etim's dedication extends to the next generation of players, as she recently took on the role of assistant coach for the U-19 women's team preparing for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers in Rwanda.
Blessing Etim's selection as a "100% Cricket Hero" is a testament to her immense contributions both on and off the field. She is a role model for aspiring female cricketers in Nigeria and a true champion for the sport's growth in the country.
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“Throughout the year 2024, Game On (appointed by the ICC) will be capturing content on these stories through short videos for the ICC to be shared across various platforms.
The aim of the video series is simply to create timeless pieces of content that introduce and expand fans' knowledge of inspiring women in cricket,” Justine Ligyalingi of the ICC Regional Office stated in a mail shared with our correspondent.
“I am delighted to let you know that Blessing Etim from Nigeria has been nominated and selected as one of the incredible stories of women in cricket across the globe. Congratulations on this selection – I feel it is truly deserved after the incredible work Blessing has been doing in the community.”
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