FCT UNVEILS TIMETABLE FOR 2026 SCHOOL SPORTS FESTIVAL

By: Gyang Dakwo

The Federal Capital Territory Department of School Sports has released the full timetable for the 3rd edition of the Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Renewed Hope School Sports Festival, and schools across Abuja are preparing for weeks of competition and celebration.

This year’s festival will once again bring together young athletes from primary, junior, and senior secondary schools in both public and private institutions, turning playground rivalries into territory-wide contests.

Ahead of the main games, attention will first shift to those who will organise them. A seminar and workshop for game masters and mistresses will be held from February 12 to February 18, 2026, to ensure that the competitions are properly managed and fair.

From there, the training will move across five centres in the territory. It begins at GSTC Abaji on Thursday, February 12, proceeds to Government Secondary School Kwali on Friday, February 13, continues at Government Secondary School Gwagwalada on Monday, February 16, then to Government Secondary School Tudun Wada on Tuesday, February 17, before ending at Government Secondary School Karu on Wednesday, February 18.

With officials prepared, focus will turn to the athletes. Zonal preliminaries will take place from Monday, March 23, to Thursday, March 26, 2026. Successful athletes will enter camp on Sunday, April 26, while the grand finale runs from Monday, April 27, to Thursday, April 30, 2026. The closing ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 30, at the FCT Sports Complex, Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki.

For the organisers, this year carries added meaning. The Director of the Department of School Sports, Adamu Hashimu, said the first two editions were held at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, but that this year’s event is “coming Home.” He added, “We are FCT, let us use the FCT Sports Complex in Area 10 to achieve our goals.”

Hashimu described the festival as more than a sporting event because it attracts attention to Abuja and promotes youth development.

“At this 3rd edition, we are inviting the world to see the energy of the FCT children, Primary, Junior, and Senior Secondary Schools, both public and private.”

Beyond the venue, the structure of the festival also reflects its wide reach. It covers the six Area Councils and eight zones, which include Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Tunga Maje, Dutse Bwari, AMAC, and Karu Karshi, ensuring that children from different communities have the chance to compete and showcase their talent.

At the primary level, events will include 100 metres, 200 metres, and 400 metres races, relay races, and long jump. Football for boys, ayo and Ludo will also feature. Junior secondary students will compete in sprints, middle-distance races, relays, high jump, long jump, and javelin, alongside football for boys, chess, and Scrabble.

By the time the senior secondary students take centre stage, the schedule becomes even broader. They will compete in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, and 1,500 metres. Girls will run 3,000 metres while boys will contest 5,000 metres. Field events will include high jump, long jump, javelin, and shot put. Team sports will feature football for boys and girls, volleyball, handball, and cricket, while chess, scrabble, badminton, and table tennis complete the programme.

Over the years, the festival has served as a platform for discovering young talents and strengthening unity among schools in the territory.

As the 2026 edition approaches, training sessions are intensifying, school teams are taking shape, and families are already marking their calendars for days of competition.