Sam Okwaraji U-16 School Football Championship Begins in Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State preliminary stage of the Sam Okwaraji U-16 School Football Championship kicked off on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with four exciting matches played at the Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo Offot.
The competition, organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in collaboration with the Nigerian School Sports Federation (NSSF), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC), is aimed at honouring the late Nigerian football hero, Sam Okwaraji.
In the opening matches, Secondary School Etoi played out a goalless draw against Offot Ukwa Secondary School before emerging 4-3 winners in the penalty shootout.
Uyo High School recorded an impressive 3-1 victory over Itam Secondary School to book their place in the next round.
Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, secured a comfortable 2-0 win over ACSS, Ikot Oku Nsit, while Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, defeated Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo, 4-3 on penalties after both sides played out a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The competition will continue on Thursday, July 2, at the Community Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Okubo.
In the first-round fixtures, Ibiono Ibom South Community Secondary School, Ikpedip, will face Etinan Institute at 10am, while Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Ekpene Udo, will take on Methodist Boys High School, Oron, at 12 noon.
The second-round matches scheduled for the same day will see Secondary School Etoi face Uyo High School at 2pm, while Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Four Towns, will battle Community Secondary School, Aka Offot by 4pm, for a place in the next stage.
The championship is designed to celebrate the enduring legacy of the late Sam Okwaraji, who died while representing Nigeria on August 12, 1989. The organisers said the competition aims to preserve his values of patriotism, discipline, courage, academic excellence and selfless service, while helping to develop young football talents from the grassroots.
Okwaraji, remembered as a lawyer, scholar and footballer, remains a symbol of dedication and sacrifice in Nigerian football history.
While the preliminary matches for the southern states began on July 1, the northern states commenced their qualifying rounds on June 26.
