The Akwa Ibom State Football Association has officially conducted the football draws for the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.
The draws ceremony was held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The event was attended by Supervisors for Sports from various Local Government Areas, who picked the draws on behalf of their councils. The draws were conducted for two categories, the Male Junior and the Female football competitions.
A total of 21 Local Government Areas registered for the male category, while 15 councils will compete in the female category.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, commended Governor Umo Eno for initiating the Sports Festival. He described the festival as a platform for discovering and nurturing young sporting talents across the state.
Umoh also lauded the Ministry of Sports Development led by Elder Paul Bassey for its dedication to actualising the Governor’s vision for sports. He charged the participating teams and officials to prioritize talent discovery and development over winning at all costs.
According to him, the essence of the festival goes beyond trophies to building a sustainable pipeline for future champions.
He assured that the Football Association would ensure fair play and a transparent football tournament throughout the festival.
MALE JUNIOR CATEGORY
Preliminary Round
Match 1: Etinan vs Mbo
Match 2: Ini vs Oruk Anam
Match 3: Udung Uko vs Onna
Match 4: Ibeno vs Abak
Match 5: Ikono vs Okobo
Byes
Ika, Mkpat-Enin, Ikot Abasi, Essien Udim, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Eastern Obolo, Urue-Offong/Oruko, Etim Ekpo, Obot Akara and Esit Eket.
Round of 16
Match 6: Ika vs Mkpat-Enin
Match 7: Ikot Abasi vs Essien Udim
Match 8: Eket vs Ikot Ekpene
Match 9: Eastern Obolo vs Urue-Offong/Oruko
Match 10: Etim Ekpo vs Obot Akara
Match 11: Winner Match 1 vs Esit Eket
Match 12: Winner Match 2 vs Winner Match 3
Match 13: Winner Match 4 vs Winner Match 5
Quarter-Finals
Match 14: Winner Match 6 vs Winner Match 7
Match 15: Winner Match 8 vs Winner Match 9
Match 16: Winner Match 10 vs Winner Match 11
Match 17: Winner Match 12 vs Winner Match 13
Semi-Finals
Match 18: Winner Match 14 vs Winner Match 15
Match 19: Winner Match 16 vs Winner Match 17
Third-Place Match
Match 20: Loser Match 18 vs Loser Match 19
Final
Match 21: Winner Match 18 vs Winner Match 19
FEMALE CATEGORY
Preliminary Round
Match 1: Udung Uko vs Esit Eket
Match 2: Onna vs Oron
Match 3: Essien Udim vs Mbo
Match 4: Ini vs Ikono
Match 5: Uruan vs Oruk Anam
Match 6: Ika vs Eket
Match 7: Urue-Offong/Oruko vs Ibeno
Bye
Ikot Ekpene receives a bye into the Quarter-Finals.
Quarter-Finals
Match 8: Ikot Ekpene vs Winner Match 1
Match 9: Winner Match 2 vs Winner Match 3
Match 10: Winner Match 4 vs Winner Match 5
Match 11: Winner Match 6 vs Winner Match 7
Semi-Finals
Match 12: Winner Match 8 vs Winner Match 9
Match 13: Winner Match 10 vs Winner Match 11
Third-Place Match
Match 14: Loser Match 12 vs Loser Match 13
Final
Match 15: Winner Match 12 vs Winner Match 13
The football matches will begin on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with the competition running until Sunday, September 27, 2026, when the grand finale will be held.
