Sports

First Bank/Okwaraji Cup Reaches Semi-Final Stage in Yobe

Published

3 months ago

June 28, 2026

Government Secondary School (GSS), Damaturu, will take on GSS, Goneri, in the first semi-final of the maiden edition of the Sam Okwaraji Under-16 Soccer Tournament in Yobe State as the competition reaches its decisive stage.

The two semi-final matches are scheduled for Sunday at the Game Village in Damaturu, with the grand finale set to take place on Monday at the same venue.

The Yobe State Commissioner for Education, Professor Abba Idris, is expected to grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour.

The tournament is organised by the Sam Okwaraji Foundation and the Nigerian School Sport Federation (NSSF), in collaboration with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), and is sponsored by First Bank Plc.

Designed to identify and nurture young football talents at the grassroots level, the championship has showcased impressive performances from participating schools across the state.

Speaking ahead of the semi-finals, the Sports Coordinator in the Yobe State Ministry of Education, Hassan Dauda, praised the quality of football displayed throughout the competition, describing the standard as outstanding.

He commended Governor Mai Mala Buni and the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Abba Idris, for their unwavering support towards the development of sports and youth football in Yobe State and Nigeria at large.

Dauda also called on residents of the state to turn out in large numbers to support the young footballers and create an exciting atmosphere for the semi-final clashes.

The stakes remain high, as the eventual champions will earn the right to represent Yobe State at the North-East regional qualifiers, with the winners progressing to the national finals of the championship scheduled to hold in Lagos later this year.

The Sam Okwaraji Under-16 Soccer Tournament is expected to serve as a vital platform for discovering the next generation of Nigerian football stars while promoting grassroots sports development across the country.

Share on Facebook

Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

22 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

Share on Facebook