Council Unveils 2026 Inter-Agency Tournament, Eyes Annual Sporting Platform
By Joy Omagha Idam
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, is taking the newsroom beyond its conventional boundaries, using the football pitch as a meeting ground for friendship, institutional cooperation and stronger ties among journalists, government agencies, security organisations and other professional bodies.
The Council has unveiled its 2026 Inter-Agency Football Tournament, an initiative designed not merely as a sporting contest but as a platform for building relationships, encouraging teamwork and promoting physical and social wellbeing among professionals across different sectors.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Imaobong Ike, said the competition was conceived with a broader purpose than determining winners and losers on the football field.
According to her, the tournament provides an opportunity for participants to step away from the pressures of their respective professional environments and interact in an atmosphere of friendship, healthy competition and mutual understanding.
Represented at the briefing by the Council’s Vice Chairman, Yahaya Ndambabo, Ike stressed that the demanding nature of journalism makes recreation and meaningful interaction particularly important for media practitioners.
She noted that sporting activities could serve as an effective avenue for building bridges between institutions while encouraging discipline, teamwork, fairness and respect.
For the NUJ FCT Council, therefore, the football tournament represents another dimension of professional engagement — one in which relationships can be strengthened outside formal meetings, press conferences and official assignments.
The Council Chairman called on participating teams to approach the tournament with enthusiasm and competitive spirit while keeping sight of its larger objective: fostering enduring relationships and a stronger sense of unity among stakeholders.
She also expressed appreciation to the participating organisations, sponsors and partners whose support, she said, had contributed to the realisation of the initiative.
The tournament is scheduled to kick off Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with matches taking place at the Area 3 Football Pitch and the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
A broad spectrum of institutions and professional associations is expected to participate in the competition. They include the NUJ, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal High Court, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Medical Association, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), AIBEN Properties, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), FCT Football Coaches Association, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Women Football All Stars Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Army and National Institute for Sports, among others.
The diversity of the participating teams, according to the organisers, reflects the central idea behind the tournament — bringing people from different professional backgrounds together through a common sporting experience.
The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., when the tournament will climax with the presentation of trophies and medals to the outstanding teams.
The Chairman further disclosed that the NUJ FCT Council is considering transforming the tournament into an annual sporting event, providing a sustainable platform for continued engagement between journalists and the institutions they cover.
Such a development, she explained, would also complement the Council’s efforts towards promoting the welfare and wellbeing of journalists.
Beyond the immediate excitement of football, Ike described sport as a powerful instrument for social interaction and peaceful coexistence, capable of bringing people together across religious, ethnic and political differences.
She urged journalists and other participants to use the tournament to highlight the values of teamwork, dedication, discipline and sportsmanship.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Tournament Organising Committee, Chibueze Chidoka, encouraged members of the NUJ to maximise the opportunity provided by the competition and contribute to the broader development of sports in Nigeria.
Chidoka said the tournament was deliberately designed to promote peace, friendship, unity and sportsmanship among participating organisations.
He reiterated that the competition would culminate in the grand finale on September 26, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with government officials, captains of industry, football enthusiasts and other dignitaries expected to attend.
He urged participating teams to uphold the principles of fair play, mutual respect and responsible competition, noting that the value of the tournament should extend beyond the final scoreline.
For the organisers, the ultimate victory may therefore not be measured solely by the team that lifts the trophy, but by the relationships forged, institutional bridges strengthened and the spirit of unity generated through the beautiful game.
With journalists, security agencies, government institutions and professional bodies converging on the football field, the NUJ FCT Council is seeking to demonstrate that sometimes, the strongest partnerships are built not across conference tables, but on common ground.