Public Schools Dominate Calabar Children’s Day Football Challenge
Public School Teams Emerge Champions at Calabar Children’s Day Football Tournament
Public Schools Claim Double Victory
PUBLIC secondary schools in Cross River State emerged winners in both the male and female categories at the 2026 Children’s Day Football Challenge held in Calabar.
The competition, organised by the Talent-Afrique Reservoir Foundation as part of activities marking Children’s Day celebrations, brought together selected students from public and private secondary schools across the state in a football exhibition aimed at promoting grassroots sports development.
In the male category, the public school team defeated their private school counterparts 2-1 in an entertaining encounter, while the female public school side secured victory through a penalty shootout after a tightly contested game.
The tournament attracted students, sports enthusiasts, parents, and stakeholders who gathered to celebrate children and encourage youth participation in sports.
Stakeholders Highlight Importance of Grassroots Sports
Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Lawrence Etta, commended the organisers for supporting youth development through sports initiatives.
According to him, grassroots competitions remain essential for discovering young talents capable of representing the state and the country in future sporting events.
Etta noted that many of the players displayed exceptional abilities during the competition and stressed the need for sustained investment in youth sports programmes.
“I saw a lot of talents on display here today. If these children are given better platforms, they will make the state proud,” he stated.
He also emphasised that sports provide constructive engagement for young people and help reduce involvement in social vices.
Sports as a Pathway to Opportunity
The sports commission chairman urged parents and guardians to encourage children to combine education with sporting activities, noting that sports can create career opportunities and improve family livelihoods.
He referenced Cross River State’s performance at the recent Niger Delta Games in Edo State, where the state reportedly finished sixth after conducting extensive grassroots talent discovery programmes.
Etta further disclosed plans by the state government to introduce additional youth sporting competitions, including a proposed Cross River University Sports Festival, to expand participation opportunities for young athletes.
Organisers Seek Expansion of Competition
Founder of Talent Afrique Reservoir Foundation, Dr. Daniel Okwoche, explained that the football challenge was designed to identify and nurture football talents among children aged between 11 and 19 years.
Okwoche, who also works as a resident doctor at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, said the foundation focuses on youth empowerment and grassroots sports development.
He described the competition as the maiden edition and expressed optimism that future editions would expand beyond Calabar to other parts of Cross River State.
According to him, the long-term goal is to attract football scouts, development organisations, and broader private-sector support capable of creating opportunities for talented young players.
