Public secondary schools in Cross River State emerged as champions in both the male and female categories at the 2026 Children's Day Football Challenge, organized by the Talent-Afrique Reservoir Foundation in Calabar.
Match Results
In the male category, the public school team defeated their private school counterparts 2-1. The female public school team also secured victory through penalties after a keenly contested match.
The football exhibition featured selected students from public and private secondary schools across the state as part of activities marking the 2026 Children's Day celebration.
Official Commendation
Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Lawrence Etta, commended the organizer, Dr. Daniel Okwoche, for promoting grassroots sports development through private sector collaboration. Etta described the initiative as a vital contribution to government efforts aimed at discovering and nurturing young sporting talents in the state.
According to him, programs of this nature help divert children from social vices while creating opportunities for them to develop their abilities in sports. “I saw a lot of talents on display here today. If these children are given better platforms, they will make the state proud,” he said.
He urged parents to encourage their children to participate in sporting activities, noting that sports can provide career opportunities and economic benefits for families.
Future Plans
The sports commission chairman also recalled Cross River's impressive outing at the Niger Delta Games in Edo State, where the state finished sixth after conducting grassroots talent hunts. He further disclosed plans by the state to introduce a Cross River University Sports Festival alongside other competitions to boost youth participation in sports.
Founder and Chairman of Talent Afrique Reservoir Foundation, Daniel Okwoche, said the competition was designed to identify and develop football talents among children between the ages of 11 and 19. Okwoche, a resident doctor at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, explained that the foundation focuses on grassroots sports development and youth empowerment.
He noted that the Children's Day football challenge was intentionally organized to align with the global theme of this year's celebration and to promote positive interaction among children. Okwoche added that the competition was the maiden edition and expressed optimism that future editions would expand to other parts of Cross River State to attract scouts and football development organizations.
