BARR. NYESOM WIKE RENEWED HOPE SCHOOL SPORTS FESTIVAL 2026 GETS NEW DATES

By: Gyang Dakwo

In readiness for the Third edition of the Barr Nyesom Wike Renewed Hope School Sports Festival 2026, the FCT Department of School Sports has announced a revised timetable, following a break observed in respect of Ramadan and Lent.

According to a statement from the Department signed by its Director, Adamu Hashimu, the festival will kick off with FCT zonal preliminaries from April 28 to May 7. During this phase, schools across the territory will compete for spots in the next round.

After that, participants will move into camp starting May 10 for the two conferences in Gwagwalada and AMAC, scheduled to take place on May 11 and 12.

The grand finale will be held from May 11 to May 14 at the FCT Sports Complex, Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

Board games including Scrabble, Chess, Ayo, and Ludo will take place on May 11 at GSS Tudun Wada in Zone 4, Wuse. Additional events are lined up for May 11 and 12 at GSS Garki, Area 10, with the festival concluding in athletics competitions on May 13 and 14 at the FCT Sports Complex in Garki.

Meanwhile, the department has wrapped up the FCT preliminaries of the Milo School Basketball Championship, which ran from March 24 to 26.

A total of 18 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ teams participated, representing both public and private schools.

At the end of the tournament, the GSS Karu girls’ team who are reigning 2025 national champions secured qualification for the next stage. The GSS Gwarinpa boys’ team, who finished as second runner-up at the 2025 national championship, also advanced.

Both teams will represent the FCT at the Central Conference of the championship in Ilorin, Kwara State, from May 14 to May 21, where they will compete against teams from Kwara, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger, and Nasarawa states.