National Sports Festival: North Central Produces Strong Field of Team Sports Qualifiers

Posted : 13 September 2026

The North Central zone has produced a strong contingent for the maiden National Sports Festival after several states secured qualification spots across various team sports at the National Intermediate Games in Abuja.

Plateau State emerged as one of the biggest winners from the zone, securing qualification in several events, while Niger, Kwara and Nasarawa States also booked multiple tickets for the festival.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, swept both the men’s and women’s tickets in the region, while Niger and Kwara States qualified in the men’s basketball event. Niger also secured the women’s basketball ticket.

In Beach Volleyball, Abuja and Kwara qualified in the men’s category, with Abuja taking the women’s ticket.

Kwara and Niger States emerged as the men’s qualifiers in Cricket, while Kogi State secured the women’s qualification.

In Football, Kwara and Niger States picked the men’s tickets, while Nasarawa State qualified in the women’s category.

Plateau State underlined its dominance in Handball, qualifying in the men’s event alongside Niger and in the women’s event alongside Nasarawa.

The state maintained its impressive run in Hockey, securing qualification in both the men’s and women’s categories. Niger joined Plateau in the men’s event, while Nasarawa qualified alongside Plateau in the women’s category.

Plateau also secured the only available ticket in men’s Rugby, while Nasarawa emerged as the standout team in Volleyball, qualifying in both the men’s and women’s categories. Kwara joined Nasarawa in the men’s event.

The North Central zone, however, will not have representatives in team sports such as Wheelchair Basketball and Netball.

With the Abuja qualification phase concluded, attention now shifts to Jos, where the next phase of team sports qualification for the National Sports Festival begins on Sunday.

Plateau, the host state, will compete in Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket and Football as the battle for places at the festival intensifies.

Sunday’s Fixtures

Football – Male
Plateau vs Kwara — 8 a.m.
NTA College Football Field, Rayfield, Jos.

Volleyball
Plateau vs Kwara (Male) — 10 a.m.
Plateau vs Nasarawa (Female) — 12 p.m.

Both volleyball matches will be played at the High Flyers Volleyball Court, Rayfield.

National Sports Festival: North Central Produces Strong Field of Team Sports Qualifiers

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