Maiden Abia Tertiary Sports Fiesta to Feature 26 Games, 1000 Athletes – Organisers

The maiden edition of Abia Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta 2025 for tertiary institutions in the state is set to commence later this month with 1000 students expected to participate in 26 different sporting activities.

The tournament, put together by the Abia government is designed to fill a significant gap in extracurricular activities at the tertiary level.

At a press conference to herald the sports event, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Uche Eme Uche noted that the fiesta is aimed at redirecting the energy of students into useful endeavours, give them a sense of belonging, and change their mindsets.

“We call it sports fiesta because it is not going to be the traditional games competitions, where everybody is driving, working hard and trying to beat each other just to get medals.

“This is going to be like a festival, a festive activity to celebrate sports and sportsmen and also trying to identify talents”. Prof. Uche said.

Prof. Uche thanked Governor Alex Otti for the swift approval of the sports festival which she said underscores his administration’s passion for youth development and holistic education.

Also speaking the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba added the sports Fiesta will not just to nurture the students, but also identify athletes as ambassadors of the State.

“A couple of years ago, we started the secondary school unity game, where we catch them young, provide a good structure to develop them and nurture them, and make them fantastic athletes to represent at the state, national and international levels.

“So, His Excellency has gone further for us to extend this youth empowerment to tertiary education. For us, not only to identify, nurture but also to further extend to identify stars that will replace our existing stars.”

Nwaobilor informed that track and field events will be staged at the Umuahia Township Stadium, football matches at Ibeku High School, with lawn tennis games at the Ridge Club, Umuahia.

The four day event will declared open by Governor Alex Otti and will also feature the unveiling of the “New Abia Pioneers Club; a value-orientation platform to promote excellence, discipline and alternatives to cultism and drug abuse.