By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Today is Day 4 of the Zonal Preliminaries of the 2025 edition of the Barrister Nyesom Wike FCT School Sports Festival, which began on Monday in eight centers, scattered across the territory. on Day 2 (Tuesday) Yesterday witnessed semifinals, and finals of more events at the designated centers, and our reporters brought back reports of some keenly contested encounters, in ball and court games.
Speaking with our reporter Olukayode Babatunde at the GSS Garki Centre, after the conclusion of the events, the Zonal Coordinator of the Center Mr. Jimoh Eneye, said it has been hectic, but he is pleased with the progress made so far, at the center.
Mr. Eneye who is also a Deputy Director Department of School Sports in the FCT, further expressed optimism that the school sports fiesta will serve its purpose, of churning out athletes that will go on to represent the FCT at upcoming Youth Games, and the National Sports Festival; as envisioned by the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Football, Handball, volleyball, basketball, table tennis and Badminton were the six games that featured at the Garki Center; and the zonal finalists, or outright winners, will go on to compete with their peers from other zones, at the FCT finals.
Meanwhile, Austin Uwakwe who was our eye in Gwagwalada, reports that the host school, GSS Gwagwalada won the preliminaries of the Football event after defeating neighbours GSS Bako 1-0.
In the Junior category, Junior Secondary School Haji Camp defeated Junior Secondary School Gwako to pick the ticket to the FCT Finals.
The Coordinator of the Zone, Mr. Innocent Luka told reporters that he was impressed with the level of the competition by the athletes, but called for improvements in the number of Schools that showed up for the first phase, games.
Mr. Luka said some schools complained of not getting the notices for the fiesta on time, and reasoned that the apathy can be addressed if the FCT Administration, headed by Barrister Nyesom Wike takes his support for Schools in the FCT, a step further, by providing them with School Buses.
Other sporting events including Track & Fields will begin on Monday at the Gwagwalada and seven other Centers.
Back to results of games played yesterday, GGSS Dukpa defeated School for the Gifted by 2 sets to 0, in the Badminton final for Girls; and in the Boys Badminton final, School for the Gifted defeated GSS Dukpa by the same margin 2-0.
And in Table Tennis (Girls), GGSS Dukpa defeated School for the Gifted 2-0; while School for the Gifted defeated host School, GSS Gwagwalada 2-0 in the Boys Football final.
*Day 3 Results From the Tudun Wada Centre:*
In Primary Schools football, Durumi defeated Kabusa 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw at full time; Kado Estate lost 5-6 on penalties to Lugbe, after another goalless draw; Kado Estate also needed a 5-4 shootout victory to edge out LEA Kabusa, after a Nil-Nil draw.
In the Junior Girls final, Wuse lost 0-1 to Zone 2; ADJSS Asokoro drew 0-0 with JSS Apo, but won 4-3 on penalties.
The Junior Boys final was won by JSS Jabi, who beat JSS Apo 1-0 in the final; and in Senior Boys football semi finals, GDSS Karu edged the Cup Holders FOSLA Academy Karshi by 4 goals to 3; and ADSS Asokoro fell 0-2 to GSS Nyanya 1.
In Girls Football final
GDSS Karu beat GSS Karu 2-0; and in Boy’s Football semifinals (Primary): LEA Hausawa trounced LEA Karu Central 7-0; while LEA Jikwoyi triumphed 2-0 over Great King David; meaning LEA Hausawa and LEA Jikwoyi will contest the final.
The second semifinal in football for Junior Boys saw JSS Jikwoyi pip JSS Karshi 1-0, to set up today’s final against FOSLA Academy Juniors.
In Handball, GSS Nyanya outscored ADSS Asokoro 6-5, and in Senior Boys Volleyball GSS Karu won the derby against GDSS Karu in 3 straight sets (7-15, 8-15, 12-15). Similarly ADSS Asokoro was thrashed 3-0 by GDSS Karu (7-15, 2-15, 8-15)
In other Volleyball for Senior Boys results, GSS Karu defeated ADSS Asokoro 3-1 that’s (15-17, 15-12, 15-10, 15-9); in Senior Girls Volleyball, GSS Karu beat GDSS Karu 2-0 (3-10, 4-10); while ADSS Karu lost 0-2 GDSS Karu (4-10, 10-12).
In Football for
Senior Boys:
GSS Karu and GDSS Karu drew 0-0, but GDSS Karu won the tie 6-5 on penalties. Similarly, the Cup Holders at this level,
Fosla Academy Karish crushed GSS Karish 3-0; and GSS Nyanya advanced after a 5-4 penalty win over Great King David; and ADSS Asokoro walked over Fountain School to progress.
In Senior Girls Football, GDSS Karu and ADSS Asokoro drew 0-0, but GDSS Karu won the penalty shootout 5-2; and
Fosla Academy Karish walked-over GSS Karu.
In the Junior Boys category, JSS Karish lost 0-3 to Fosla Academy Karish; and in Primary School (Boys), LEA Hausawa piped Abuja Children Home 1-0; while LEA Nyanya were demolished 10-2 by LEA Jikwoyi 1; just as LEA Karu Central edged out LEA Narai 1-0, reports God’s Time Egelege.
Emmanuel Chidiaka reports from Dutse that Phase 3 lost the Senior Boys football game to GDSS Dutse 0-1; GSS Kubwa defeated GSS Phase 3 1-0; GSS Kubwa were 3-0 winners over GSS Dei-Dei; and in Junior Boys football, JSS Kubwa spanked JSS Dutse 3-0.
In Volleyball for Boys,
GDSS Bwari beat GDSS Dutse 3-0; GDSS Dutse defeated GSS Jibi 3-0, and GSS Jibi lost 0-3 to GDSS Bwari.
