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Kaduna State dominated the North West zonal eliminations for the inaugural National Sports Commission (NSC) Intermediate Games, winning several events and securing qualification in a number of sports disciplines for the national competition scheduled to take place in Lagos.
The three-day zonal eliminations, held at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, brought together athletes from five states in the North West zone, including the host state, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara. Project reports
Jigawa and Kebbi states were, however, absent from the zonal competition, leaving five of the seven states in the zone to battle for qualifying places in the various sporting disciplines.
The competition provided an opportunity for young athletes from across the area to showcase their talent and compete for a place at the inaugural Intermediate Games, which is expected to bring together athletes from across the country.
Kaduna shines in multiple events
The host state has emerged as one of the biggest winners in the zonal eliminations, registering impressive performances in several sporting disciplines.
Kaduna secured top positions in both men’s and women’s cricket events, underscoring the state’s continued investment in the development of the sport.
The state also dominated in beach volleyball, emerging first in both the men’s and women’s categories.
In handball, Kaduna once again demonstrated its strength by finishing first in both the men’s and women’s competition, while Sokoto secured second position.
The performances further highlighted the depth of sporting talent available in Kaduna, particularly in team sports where the State continued to maintain a strong presence in regional competitions.
Kano and Kaduna share indoor volleyball honours
The indoor volleyball events produced another strong performance from the competing states, with Kano and Kaduna sharing the top positions.
Kano emerged first in the men’s category, while Kaduna came second.
In the women’s competition, however, Kaduna reversed the order, taking first position, with Katsina finishing in second place.
The results ensured that the three states maintained a strong presence in one of the major team sports featured in the zonal eliminations.
Football qualification goes to Kano, Katsina
The football event provided a different outcome for the host state as Kaduna failed to gain qualification for the inaugural edition of the Intermediate Games.
Following the conclusion of the football matches, Katsina and Kano have emerged as the two states that will represent the North West Zone at the national competition in Lagos.
Kaduna’s failure to qualify followed defeats in both matches, denying the host state the opportunity to participate in the nationwide football event.
The development was one of the few hiccups recorded by Kaduna during the three-day competition, having enjoyed notable success in several other disciplines.
Kaduna dominates hockey and basketball
Kaduna also maintained its dominance in hockey, coming first in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Kano emerged second in the hockey competitions, further strengthening its position as one of the leading sporting states in the area.
The host state also placed first in basketball, although it did not submit a women’s team for the competition.
Excellent performance in several sports has placed Kaduna among the key states in the North West expected to make an impact at the maiden edition of the Lagos Intermediate Games.
The Kaduna government praises the athletes and organizers
Speaking after the conclusion of the zonal eliminations, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Sports Development, Dorcas Inti Benjamin, expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State Governor for his support to the ministry and for successfully hosting the competition.
Benjamin said the support provided by the state government contributed significantly to the success of organizing the zonal exercise.
He also praised the athletes and officials who participated in the competition, stressing the importance of ensuring that only eligible athletes are entered into the competitions.
The Permanent Secretary expressed concern over the alleged participation of adult athletes by some States and warned that such practices could have consequences during national competition.
He called on participating States to strictly comply with the rules and regulations guiding the Intermediate Games, stressing that any State found to have violated the eligibility requirements could be subject to sanctions, including expulsion from the actual competition.
According to her, compliance with the rules is necessary to ensure fairness and credibility during the competition.
Maikano calls for regular grassroots competitions
The North West Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Adamu Maikano, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the zonal eliminations, describing the exercise as an important step towards discovering and developing young sporting talents in the region.
Maikano, however, challenged North Western states to do more in terms of organizing grassroots sports competitions.
He said states should not wait until the National Sports Festival, National Youth Games or other major national competitions before creating opportunities for young athletes to compete.
According to him, regular competitions are essential for identifying talent, enhancing athletes’ competitive experience and preparing them for national and international assignments.
He attributed the limited presence of Northern Region athletes on the podium in major national competitions partly to the lack of regular competitions and prolonged exposure.
The zonal coordinator urged state governments and sports administrators to develop a culture of organizing competitions throughout the year, stressing that talent development requires consistency rather than sporadic participation.
The North needs a stronger sports development structure
Maikano’s appeal also highlighted the need for a stronger sports development structure in the North, where a large pool of young people possess sporting talents in different disciplines.
He noted that competitions such as the Intermediate Games could serve as an important avenue to identify athletes who could eventually represent their states and country in major national and international competitions.
He therefore encouraged sports administrators to take grassroots development more seriously by providing young athletes with regular competitions, coaching and opportunities to improve their skills.
He also commended the participating States for their efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum generated by the zonal eliminations.
The NSC official specifically acknowledged the contribution of Alhaji Abu Gumel and Engineer Musa Nimrod, who he described as individuals who have continued to support the development of the sport in the North and Nigeria at large.
Lagos awaits the North West qualifiers
With the zonal eliminations concluded, the focus will now shift to the maiden edition of the Lagos Intermediate Games, where qualified North West states will compete against their counterparts from other parts of the country.
For Kaduna, its impressive performances in cricket, beach volleyball, handball, indoor volleyball, hockey and basketball have earned the state notable representation, despite its failure to qualify in football.
Kano and Katsina will carry the flag of the area in football, while other states and successful athletes will compete in their respective disciplines at the national event.
The Intermediate Games are expected to provide another platform for the National Sports Commission to identify emerging talent and strengthen the pathway between grassroots sports and elite competitions.
The successful conclusion of the North West Qualifiers in Kaduna has therefore set the stage for the national stage in Lagos, with stakeholders hoping that the competition will help produce a new generation of athletes capable of competing successfully for Nigeria at higher levels.
