By Ado Salisu
Government College Kano (formerly known as KTC) has emerged champion of the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under-16 National All Secondary Schools Championship in Kano State after defeating Government Secondary School, Gyadi Gyadi, 4-3 in a thrilling final.
The championship is sponsored by First Bank Plc and organised by the Samuel Okwaraji Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria School Sport Federation (NSSF).
The competition aims to identify and nurture young football talents at the grassroots level.
The final, played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, attracted a large crowd of football enthusiasts.
The tournament was held simultaneously across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The 2026 edition is designed to discover, develop and provide opportunities for talented young footballers to secure opportunities with clubs within and outside Nigeria.
Speaking after the final, the Principal of Government College Kano, Comrade Abdu Usman Yaro, described his students’ performance as outstanding and commended them for their determination throughout the competition.
He assured that the school management would provide the necessary support to ensure the team records a successful outing at the forthcoming zonal and national stages later this year.
The principal also commended Abba Kabir Yusuf for his unwavering moral and financial support toward the development of sports in the state.
With the victory, Government College Kano will represent Kano State at the zonal elimination competition scheduled for September.
The championship honours the memory of Samuel Okwaraji, the late Nigerian football icon who tragically died on August 12, 1989, during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Angola at the National Stadium in Lagos.
