Revival of Secondary School Football begins in Akwa Ibom, draws done for Invitational tournament
The Akwa Ibom State Secondary Schools FA Cup Invitational Football Tournament will begin with its draw ceremony on Monday, 24th February 2025, at the Uyo Township Stadium. Organised by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association in partnership with the State Secondary Education Board, the competition will run from 27th February to 11th March 2025, with all matches taking place at the Uyo Township Stadium.
In the past, secondary school football tournaments served as a vital platform for discovering talented young footballers, and this event aims to revive that tradition. The tournament will feature six invited schools, with four competing in the boys’ category and two in the girls’ category. The boys’ matches will last 40 minutes per half, while the girls’ matches will last 35 minutes per half. All players must be registered students of the participating schools and aged 17 or younger.
Fixtures
Boys’ Category
- Thursday, 27th February 2025 (3 PM)
Boys’ High School, Oron vs. Community Secondary School, Four Towns - Friday, 28th February 2025 (11 AM)
Uyo High School vs. State College, Ikot Ekpene - Final: 11th March 2025
Girls’ Category
- Final: 11th March 2025 (1 PM)
West Itam Secondary School, Itam vs. Community Secondary School, Aka Offot
At the draw ceremony, Mr. Samuel Umoh, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, explained that the aim of the tournament is to bring secondary school sports back to life and identify young footballing talent at an early stage. He also mentioned that this edition is a trial run, with plans for a larger competition in the future.
Pastor Emmanuel Ebong, Director of School Sports at the State Secondary Education Board, praised the collaboration between the education sector and the FA. He stressed that only legitimate students aged 17 and under would be allowed to participate and warned that schools fielding ineligible players would face penalties.
Representatives from the participating schools expressed their excitement, calling the tournament a much-needed revival of secondary school football in the state.
The opening match will be held on Thursday, 27th February 2025, at 3 PM, with Methodist Boys’ High School, Oron facing Community Secondary School, Four Towns, at the Uyo Township Stadium.
