Sports

FirstBank/Okwaraji Foundation U-16 Schools Championship Unveils Zonal Qualifiers Schedule

Published

2 months ago

September 14, 2026

The zonal qualifiers of the 2026 edition of the FirstBank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Under-16 National All Secondary Schools Championship will be played from September 19 to 24, 2026 for Northern teams, and 25th to 30th September 2026 for the Southern teams.

The championship, which has witnessed states elimination rounds across the country, has rekindled excitement among secondary school students, young football talents and football enthusiasts.

Organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), the competition is sponsored by FirstBank, with the Foundation’s Steering Committee chaired by Senator Osita Izunaso.

According to the organisers, the states elimination series was conducted across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The state phase ran from June 26 to July 5, with champions from the respective states progressing to the zonal stage. The outstanding teams from the states competitions will converge on Abuja, Kano and Bauchi for the Northern Zone elimination and Lagos , Asaba and Owerri for Southern zonal eliminations .

The organisers said the championship, which is exclusively designed for secondary school students, has contributed significantly to grassroots football development by providing young players with a platform to showcase their abilities in a competitive environment.

They added that several promising talents have already been identified during the various stages of the competition, with plans to recommend outstanding players to relevant football authorities and development programmes for further exposure and opportunities.

Beyond football development, the championship also serves as a tribute to the memory and legacy of late Nigerian football star Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji, who died on August 12, 1989, while representing Nigeria in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos.

The organisers said the competition is intended to preserve Okwaraji’s legacy while using football as a tool for youth development, talent discovery and national integration.

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Sports

Lagos Women Run: Excitement Builds Ahead of Saturday’s TBS Race

Published

12 hours ago

November 10, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Participants from different walks of life are eagerly looking forward to the Lagos Women Run scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The participants have expressed excitement about the opportunities and experiences the annual event promises to offer.

Our correspondent reports that, in addition to runners from within Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, some athletes are expected to travel from outside the country to participate in the race.

The organisers are already making preparations for the large number of registered participants, while the possibility of accepting late entries will depend on the timing and other arrangements.

The Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, said participants should expect an improved experience compared with previous editions.

“We have to continue to get better, as that is the driving force for us as organisers. We will be bigger and better with every edition,” Popoola said.

The 2026 Lagos Women Run will hold on Saturday, November 14, with Tafawa Balewa Square serving as the starting point.

Participants are expected to arrive at the venue by 6:30 a.m. for the event.

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