By NEWSCOUNT Desk
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has said the 2026 NUJ FCT Football Tournament will provide an opportunity to strengthen friendship and cooperation among journalists, security agencies, government institutions, private sector organisations and professional bodies.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 2026 NUJ FCT Football Competition, Ndubueze Chidoka, stated this on Monday, September 21, 2026, during the press conference and draws for the tournament in Abuja.
Chidoka said the competition would commence on Tuesday, September 22, with matches scheduled to take place at the Area 3 Football Pitch and the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
He said the participating teams were drawn from the NUJ, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Air Force (NAF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal High Court of Nigeria, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), AIBEN Properties, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), FCT Football Coaches Association, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Women Football All Stars Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Army and National Institute for Sports.
According to him, the tournament is designed to use football as a platform for bringing people and institutions together, regardless of their professional, ethnic, religious or political differences.
“Sport does not have a language. Sport is an integral activity that unites the people and has the power to change the world for the better irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliations,” he said.
He described the tournament as the NUJ FCT Council’s contribution to the promotion of peace and unity in the country, stressing the need for people and institutions to align their interests and work together for a better society.
Chidoka urged all participating teams to approach the competition with the right spirit, saying the tournament should be used to inspire hope, build mutual respect and strengthen friendship among the participants.
He also called on the teams to demonstrate sportsmanship and fair play throughout the competition and to ensure that the objectives of the tournament were achieved.
The chairman further reminded the participants that the competition would be conducted in accordance with established rules and regulations, urging all teams to study and comply strictly with the rules guiding the tournament.
The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at 11am, when the final match will be played and the winning teams presented with trophies and medals.
Chidoka said the final day of the competition would attract dignitaries, captains of industry, government officials, football lovers and enthusiasts from different parts of the country.
He appreciated the partners whose contributions had supported the organisation of the tournament and wished all the participating teams a successful competition.
