Plateau State will be fully represented at the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu after all teams presented by the state secured qualification tickets at the North Central Zonal Eliminations in Jos.
Plateau competed in Basketball, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Football and Cricket, with every team that registered for the zonal competition successfully booking a place at the main Festival later this year.
VOLLEYBALL PRODUCE DRAMATIC FINISH
The Plateau male volleyball team secured their qualification in dramatic fashion, recovering from a two-point deficit to defeat Niger 3-2 and claim their ticket to Enugu.
The female team had earlier secured qualification after recording a 3-0 victory over Nasarawa.
Plateau’s female Beach Volleyball team also booked their place at the Festival after winning one of their two matches at the St. John’s College playground.
BASKETBALL TEAMS BOTH THROUGH
Plateau’s male and female basketball teams also secured qualification despite contrasting campaigns.
The male team lost 51-44 to Niger in their final encounter, but their result from the opening match against the Federal Capital Territory had already put them in a position to qualify.
The female team, meanwhile, went through the eliminations unbeaten, recording victories over FCT and Nasarawa.
They edged FCT 26-25 before defeating Nasarawa 41-31 to secure their place at the main Festival.
FOOTBALL TEAM HOLDS NIGER
Plateau’s male football team also secured a ticket after playing out a goalless draw with Niger.
The result was enough to see the Plateau side qualify for the Festival, completing another successful campaign for the state at the zonal level.
SEVEN TICKETS SECURED
Rugby had already secured qualification on the opening day of the eliminations, taking Plateau’s total number of tickets to seven.
The successful qualification of all the registered Plateau teams means the state will have representatives across the seven qualified team-sport categories at the National Sports Festival in Enugu.
With the North Central eliminations now concluded, Plateau’s teams can turn their attention to preparations for the main Festival as they look to make their mark on the national stage.