By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 8, 2026

Preparations have gathered pace for the 2026 National Schools Football Championship, with a surge in registrations marking a major milestone ahead of the nationwide competition.

The tournament, endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, aims to provide a structured platform for students to showcase their talents while strengthening the pipeline for Nigeria’s U-15 and U-17 national teams.

The competition will kick off in May across the 36 states and the FCT, with schools competing at state level before advancing to regional stages. Winners from the six geopolitical zones will then converge in Abuja for the grand finale in June 2026, featuring both boys’ and girls’ teams.

Speaking on the initiative, CEO of Kickstart Sports Foundation, Ibrahim Bello, described the project as a long-term investment in Nigerian football, focused not only on talent discovery but also on structured development. He added that standout players will undergo advanced training under top coaches and gain exposure to local and international scouts.

Bello also highlighted the collaboration with key stakeholders, including the NFF, noting that national team coaches, as well as international academies and clubs, will scout players during the tournament.

He further explained that the championship is a landmark initiative, being fully age-verified, safeguarded, and gender-inclusive, with participation restricted strictly to school-based athletes. The use of NIMC-integrated biometric verification is also expected to eliminate age fraud and ensure credibility in the competition.

The competition will also provide an opportunity for Physical Education teachers from participating schools to receive training and obtain certified football coaching licenses.

Source Punch Ng

Posted April 8, 2026

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