North-East Youths Chase National Dream as Damaturu Hosts Intermediate Games Zonal Elimination




By Alhaji Yusuf, Damaturu


The North-East’s search for the next generation of team-sport stars took centre stage in Damaturu as Yobe State hosted the North-East zonal elimination of the 1st National Intermediate Games for Team Sports from September 10 to 12, 2026.

Held at the 28th August Stadium, the event was organised by the Presidency’s National Sports Commission through its Grassroots Sports Development Department. For athletes from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, it was more than a qualifying contest, it was a rare opportunity to be seen, scouted and prepared for the national stage. 

Governor Mai Mala Buni, represented by the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje, declared the competition open. 

He described it as a celebration of youth, skill, dedication, camaraderie, unity and the spirit of the North-East, noting that the region has a strong history of producing remarkable sporting talent.

Buni said the games give young athletes a crucial platform for national exposure. 

He reaffirmed Yobe’s commitment to sports development, pointing to the renovation of the August 27 Stadium, restoration of the training complex, and sports infrastructure in Gujba, Potiskum and Yunusari as investments aimed at expanding opportunities for young people and helping them become future national and global champions.

Yobe’s Commissioner for Youth, Sports, Social and Community Development, Barma Shettima, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Gidado Abubakar, said the zonal elimination featured football, basketball, beach volleyball, handball, hockey, and indoor events including cricket, rugby, netball and wheelchair basketball.

He added that the Lagos finals would bring together over 15,000 athletes across 28 disciplines at 10 venues. 

He urged the athletes to compete fairly, learn from the experience and prepare for greater trials.

For the North-East, the Damaturu event was therefore not just about selecting teams for the national finals ,it was about signalling that grassroots sport can be a pathway to unity, investment and national opportunity.

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