The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Abakaliki Chapter, has unveiled plans to host what it described as one of Nigeria's largest private school sporting festivals, with a target of attracting 50 schools and about 3,000 student-athletes to participate in the 2026 Abakaliki Unity Games and Schools Sports Championship.
The association said the championship is expected to draw over 10,000 parents and spectators, more than 500 teachers and coaches, alongside government officials, corporate organisations, media houses, sports scouts and international partners.
Speaking at a press conference in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the NAPPS Abakaliki Unity Games and Schools Sports Championship, Mr. Peter Osisikankwu, said the event would officially commence on September 19, 2026, with regional competitions scheduled for September through October, while the grand finale will take place on October 12, 2026.
Osisikankwu said the championship is designed to establish Ebonyi State as Nigeria's leading hub for grassroots sports development by nurturing young talents, promoting excellence and creating pathways to national and international sporting success.
According to him, the initiative also seeks to provide every student-athlete with a professionally organised sporting platform that promotes discipline, leadership, teamwork, healthy competition and equal opportunities, while identifying exceptional talents capable of representing Ebonyi State, Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.
"The theme of this year's edition is 'Uniting Schools • Discovering Champions • Building the Future.' The Abakaliki Unity Games and Inter-School Sports Championship is a flagship annual inter-school sporting festival designed to unite private schools across Ebonyi State through healthy competition while discovering the next generation of sporting stars," he said.
He described the championship as more than a sporting competition, saying it is a youth empowerment and talent development initiative aimed at transforming grassroots sports into a sustainable pathway for educational advancement, professional careers and economic opportunities.
"Our vision is to create an internationally recognised sporting event that showcases the immense talents of Ebonyi children while positioning the state as one of Africa's emerging centres for youth sports development.
"This championship matters because across Nigeria, countless gifted children are often left without the opportunity to showcase their abilities," Osisikankwu stated.
He said the objectives of the championship include identifying outstanding young athletes in football, athletics, basketball, volleyball and other sporting events, while promoting confidence, discipline, leadership, resilience and teamwork among participating students.
The chairman added that the initiative would also encourage sports as a tool for improving academic performance, school attendance and positive social behaviour, while creating opportunities for talented athletes to participate in international tournaments, exchange programmes and scholarship schemes.
According to him, the championship is further expected to promote sports tourism, youth employment and investment opportunities in Ebonyi State, while positioning the state as a recognised destination for grassroots sports excellence and youth development.
"By combining education with sports, this initiative seeks to build stronger schools, healthier communities and future champions who will proudly represent Ebonyi State across Nigeria and the world," he said.
Osisikankwu called on corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders to support the championship, assuring that sponsors would enjoy extensive brand visibility before, during and after the competition.
"In the course of the event, sponsors will receive premium brand visibility. Their brands will be promoted before, during and after the championship through education and healthy lifestyle campaigns while demonstrating their commitment to community development," he added.
