Inaugural Matches Launch 3rd Vice Chancellor’s Football Cup at FUTIA

The 3rd Edition of the Vice Chancellor’s Football Cup, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA) officially commenced on Monday, 18th May 2026, at the Sports Ground of the University’s Take-off Campus in Ikot Abasi.

Declaring the championship open, the Vice Chancellor of FUTIA, Professor Leo Daniel, described the tournament as an initiative aimed at promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and active students’ participation in extracurricular activities to enhance holistic teaching and learning outcomes within the University community.

Professor Daniel commended the Chairman and members of the University Sports Committee, as well as the University Sports Coach, Uboho Uku for their strategic planning and commitment towards the successful organization of the tournament from its maiden edition to the current third edition.

The Vice Chancellor also congratulated the FUTIA Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the entire student community on the successful commencement of the 3rd Edition of the FUTIA Students’ Week. He wished all participating schools, athletes, and officials a successful and hitch-free competition throughout the week-long sporting and Students’ Week activities.

As part of the opening ceremony, Professor Daniel, a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, performed the ceremonial kick-off and expressed appreciation to his Management team, staff, students, stakeholders, members of the host communities, security agencies, and sports enthusiasts for the impressive turnout at the football fiesta.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the University Sports Committee and Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Colombus Udofot, expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and the University Management for sustaining the sponsorship of the annual event. He expressed the confidence that the competition would continue to foster unity, sportsmanship, and healthy interaction among students and members of the University community.

Dr. Udofot also called for continuous cooperation among participating teams, officials, and supporters to ensure a peaceful and successful tournament.

The opening match of the championship featured the defending champions - the School of Management Technology, triumphed over the School of Environmental Science Technology. The defending champion secured a narrow 1–0 victory at full time.

In an earlier fixture played in the morning, the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) defeated the School of Agriculture and Food Technology 4–0 in a dominant performance.

The event also featured a 100-Metre Track Race for both male and female students as part of the sporting activities lined up for the competition.

The occasion attracted members of the University Management Team, including the Registrar, Mrs. Offiongita E. Nkang represented by the Acting Head of Establishment Division, Mr Michael Ekah; the University Bursar, Dr. Mbobo Erasmus represented by a Director in the Bursary Department, Mr Emmanuel Uduehe and the University Librarian, Professor Philip Akor. Also in attendance were Provosts of Schools, Heads of Departments, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, staff members, students, security agencies, host community representatives, stakeholders, and sports lovers from within and outside Akwa Ibom State.

According to the tournament fixtures, the closing ceremony of the football fiesta is scheduled to hold on Friday, 22nd May 2026 while the Gala/Award Night will hold on Saturday, 23rd May 2026 at the FUTIA Sports Ground and Pavilion respectively. 

Earlier on Monday morning, the Students’ Representative Council, led by its President, Alfred Peter, officially flagged off the 3rd Edition of the FUTIA Students’ Week with a colorful carnival float around the University campus and major streets within Ikot Abasi.

Both the 3rd Edition of the FUTIA Vice Chancellor’s Football Cup Championship and the FUTIA Students’ Week 2026 are being celebrated simultaneously throughout the week as scheduled in the official programme of events.