The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has launched its 2026 Inter-Agency Football Tournament in Abuja, bringing together media professionals, security agencies, government institutions and private organisations for a competition designed to strengthen relationships and promote teamwork.
The tournament officially kicked off on Tuesday, September 22, with matches scheduled for the Area 3 Football Pitch and the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki, Abuja. The grand finale is expected to hold on Saturday, September 26.
The competition features 18 teams, including the NUJ, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Air Force, NDLEA, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal High Court, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Army, NTA, NMA, SWAN, NAWOJ and other professional organisations.
Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, represented by the Vice Chairman, Yahaya Ndambabo, said the tournament goes beyond football, providing an opportunity for participants to relax, build friendships and strengthen institutional cooperation.
She noted that journalists work under demanding deadlines and pressure, making activities that promote fitness, wellness and interaction outside the newsroom important.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Ndubueze Chidoka, described sports as a unifying force capable of bringing people together across professional, ethnic, religious and political differences.
He urged the participating teams to observe discipline, fair play and sportsmanship throughout the competition, stressing that the broader objective was to build lasting relationships rather than simply compete for trophies.
The NUJ FCT Council said it hopes to sustain the tournament as an annual platform for promoting healthy living, friendship and stronger ties between the media, government agencies, security institutions and the private sector.
The competition will culminate in the final match and presentation of trophies and medals on Saturday, September 26, at 11am.
