Enugu govt. organizes hitch-free 2026 school sports championship

….as Nsukka zone wins sports championship 

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

Nsukka Education Zone has emerged champion of the 2026 Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Secondary Schools Sports Championship. 

The competition held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Nsukka Zone won the coveted trophy after finishing with 12 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze medals. 

Enugu Zone came second with 6 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals, while Awgu Zone placed third with 3 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals. 

Udi Zone finished fourth with 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals.

Agbani Zone placed fifth with 2 silver and 1 bronze medal, while Obollo Zone came sixth without any medal.

In the male football event, Udi football team came from a goal down to defeat Awgu 2–1 and win the gold medal. 

In the female football category, Nsukka Zone defeated their Awgu counterparts 2–0 to clinch the gold medal.

An athlete, Uche Joshua, winner of the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 4 × 100 metres relay with the Enugu Zone relay team, expressed happiness that the championship helped him showcase his talent in athletics. 

He commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB) for organizing a hitch-free event.

In his address, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, appreciated Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his vision and leadership in sports development in the state.

He also commended the Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, Hillary Mgbodile, for the strong partnership and dedication that ensured the success of the championship.

He noted that this year’s state finals were the culmination of an extensive statewide competition that began with zonal preliminaries held from 17 February to 7 March 2026.

During that period, 222 secondary schools across Enugu State participated in qualifying competitions in the six educational zones: Agbani, Awgu, Enugu, Nsukka, Udi and Obollo.

From these preliminary contests, 424 outstanding student-athletes were selected to represent their zones at the finals in Athletics, Football, Volleyball and Table Tennis, competing in both boys’ and girls’ categories.

He congratulated all the participating zones and the winners for their victory.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, Hillary Mgbodile, expressed happiness over the success of the games. 

He thanked the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ikechukwu Ekweremadu, for partnering with the Board to revive schools sports in the state.

He emphasized that the championship was designed specifically for bona fide students of secondary schools, rather than academy players.