The 2026 Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Interdepartmental Football Tournament of the Federal University of Education, Zaria (FUE Zaria), commenced on Tuesday with the Department of Biology Education defeating the Department of Educational Technology 3–0 in the opening match.
A statement from the Information and Protocol unit of the university said the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Kabiru Haruna Danja, represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, at the official opening ceremony of the tournament, which was organised by the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).
The annual competition is designed to promote sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, friendship, physical fitness and healthy competition among students, while providing a platform for participants from various departments to showcase their talents and strengthen unity within the University community.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Danja commended the SRC for sustaining initiatives that promote students’ holistic development through sports and extracurricular activities.
He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting programmes that foster unity, peaceful coexistence and excellence among students.
The opening match at the University Football Pitch produced an exciting contest, with the Department of Biology Education emerging comfortable 3–0 winners over the Department of Educational Technology to record the first victory of the tournament.
Speaking on the commencement of the tournament, the SRC President, Comr. Yakubu Ibrahim Khalifa, described the competition as a platform for promoting unity, discipline, teamwork and healthy interaction among students beyond the classroom.
He expressed appreciation to the University Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, for its continued support for student-centred initiatives and commended the SRC Sports Committee for its commitment to organising a successful tournament.
The Chairman of the SRC Sports Committee, Comr. Sameer Adamu Yelwa, also thanked participating departments, match officials, security personnel and students for their cooperation and urged all teams to uphold the principles of fair play, discipline, respect and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
Those in attendance included the Dean, Students’ Affairs Division, Mallam Abdullahi Abdulkadir; the Director, Security Services, Mallam Halilu Hassan; the Chief Security Officer, ASP Bello Haruna (Rtd.); the Director-General of FUE Zaria FM, Mallam Yakubu Yahaya Maina; the Chairman of ASUU-FUE Zaria Branch, Dr. Ubale Yakubu Alhaji; the Media Aide to the Vice-Chancellor, Sani Lawal Maqarphy; former SRC President, Comr. Abdulmaleek Bashir Ahmad; as well as other principal officers, staff members and invited guests.
