The draws ceremony for the inaugural State Secondary Schools FA Cup Invitational Football Tournament was conducted on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Uyo Township Stadium.
The competition, organised by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association in partnership with the State Secondary Education Board, will run from February 27 to March 11, 2025, with all matches taking place at the Uyo Township Stadium.
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Six invited schools will participate in the maiden edition, with four competing in the boys’ category and two in the girls’ category. Matches in the boys’ category will have 40 minutes per half, while the girls’ category will feature 35-minute halves. Apart from being bonafide students of the participating schools, all registered players must be aged 17 or below.
Fixtures
Boys’ Category
Thursday, February 27, 2025 (3 PM) – Boys High School, Oron vs. Community Secondary School, Four Towns
Friday, February 28, 2025 (11 AM) – Uyo High School vs. State College, Ikot Ekpene
Final: March 11, 2025
Girls’ Category
Final: March 11, 2025 (1 PM) – West Itam Secondary School, Itam vs. Community Secondary School, Aka Offot
Speaking at the draw ceremony, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh, highlighted that the vision behind the tournament is to revive school sports in the state and discover talented young players at an early stage.
He added that the limited number of teams in this edition is due to its test-run nature, with plans for a larger event in the future.
On his part, the Director of School Sports in the State Secondary Education Board, Pastor Emmanuel Ebong, commended the partnership between the education authorities and the FA.
He reiterated that only bonafide students aged 17 and below would be allowed to participate, warning that any school official found fielding ineligible players would face sanctions.
Representatives of the participating schools lauded the initiative, describing it as a much-needed revival of football at the secondary school level.
The opening match of the competition will take place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 3 PM, with Methodist Boys High School, Oron facing Community Secondary School, Four Towns, Uyo, at the Uyo Township Stadium.
