Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has emerged overall champion of the 2026 Abia State Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta (ABTESF), winning 136 medals in the competition involving 18 tertiary institutions.

MOUAU secured 47 gold, 47 silver and 42 bronze medals to finish top of the medals table at the second edition of the competition, which featured 24 sporting events.

Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, finished second with 98 medals (47 gold, 31 silver and 20 bronze), while Abia State University, Uturu, came third with 87 medals.

Gregory University, Uturu, occupied the fourth position with 68 medals (37 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze).

The competition ended on Friday with a closing ceremony at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Speaking at the event, Governor Alex Otti said sports were essential to the overall development of students, arguing that education should not be limited to the acquisition of academic qualifications.

Mr Otti, represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said physical, mental and social development are important components of education.

“Having 18 institutions compete in about 24 sporting competitions is a hit. And we know that this will contribute greatly to the all-round development of our students,” he said.

The governor added that investments in educational infrastructure would have limited impact if students’ mental development was neglected.

“If the brick and mortar are overhauled and the mind remains the same, we have achieved little. So we know that what is happening today will overhaul the minds of our children and make us ready for the outside world,” he said.

The governor’s remarks were contained in a statement posted on Facebook on Sunday by Ferdinand Ekeoma, his special adviser on media and publicity.

Sports and talent development

The Commissioner for Tertiary Education in Abia, Uche Eme Uche, said the competition was introduced to promote physical fitness as part of the state’s broader educational objectives.

She said the second edition recorded improved organisation, increased participation and stronger commitment from participating institutions.

“Building on experiences and lessons from the inaugural edition, we have witnessed improved organisation, broader participation and stronger institutional commitment to making ABTESF a sustainable feature of our tertiary education calendar,” she said.

Ms Uche expressed appreciation to Mr Otti for approving and funding the competition.

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Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Central Working Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Emeka Enyiazu, said the fiesta provided an opportunity for students from federal, state and privately owned institutions to compete on a common platform.

He described the competition as an avenue for identifying young sporting talents, promoting unity and developing discipline, teamwork and resilience among students.

According to him, the initiative would help prepare promising athletes for national and international competitions.

The 2026 edition brought together 18 tertiary institutions across Abia State, with organisers expressing optimism that the competition would become a permanent feature of the state’s tertiary education calendar.

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Winners emerge in Abia tertiary education sports fiesta

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