Kano Flags Off 2026 Basic Education Schools Sports Competition

By JB Danlami

The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, Malam Yusuf Kabir, has reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to youth development through sports, as the 2026 Basic Education Schools Sports Competition officially kicked off across designated centers in Kano State.

Speaking through the Director of Academic Services, Ibrahim Yahuza, at the flag-off events held at Kano State University of Science and Technology Wudil and Abubakar Ila Special Primary School, the Chairman described the competition as a strategic platform to discover young talents, promote unity among pupils, and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

According to the message, this year’s competition focuses exclusively on football and brings together primary school pupils aged 12 and under, alongside Junior Secondary School (JSS) students aged 15 and under. Participants have been carefully selected from public primary and JSS schools across the state, with each Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) presenting a team to represent its area.

Each team comprises 18 players for both primary and JSS categories, ensuring broad participation and inclusiveness. The competition, sponsored by SUBEB Kano in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission, reflects a strong partnership aimed at strengthening basic education through co-curricular activities.

The matches are being held across eight strategic playing zones, including Wudil, Rano, Dala/Kumbotso (D/Kudu Stadium), Tarauni/Wudil Axis, Gwarzo, Bichi, Dambatta, and Gwale, allowing for wide grassroots engagement. Game durations have been set at 30 minutes for primary pupils and 40 minutes for JSS teams.

The competition, which commenced on March 30, will run through April 10, 2026. To ensure fairness and professionalism, six referees have been engaged, including four from the State Sports Commission, one from the Ministry of Education, and one from Tarauni.

Malam Yusuf Kabir emphasized that the initiative is designed not only to foster healthy competition but also to identify outstanding players who will represent Kano State at the forthcoming Northwest Zonal Competition scheduled for June 2026.

He added that the games will strictly adhere to the rules and regulations of the Nigeria School Sports Federation, ensuring standardization and credibility in the competition process.

At the end of the tournament, winners in both primary and JSS categories will receive giant trophies, gold medals, and school bags. Second-place teams will be awarded replicas of the trophies, silver medals, exercise books, and mathematics sets, while third-place finishers will go home with bronze medals.

The Chairman further stressed that all participating players must be bona fide students of their respective schools, as each LGEA is responsible for selecting eligible participants.

The 2026 Basic Education Schools Sports Competition marks another significant step by SUBEB Kano in nurturing young talents and promoting holistic education across the state.