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MOUAU Tops ASTESF 2026 With 136 Medals As Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, ABSU, Gregory University Follow – The Eagle News
MOUAU Tops ASTESF 2026 With 136 Medals As Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, ABSU, Gregory University Follow – The Eagle News
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UMUAHIA — Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) has emerged overall champion of the 2nd Abia State Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta 2026, after amassing an impressive 136 medals.
MOUAU clinched 47 gold, 47 silver and 42 bronze medals to secure the top position in the keenly contested fiesta, which brought together tertiary institutions from across the state.
Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba finished in the second position with 98 medals, comprising 47 gold, 31 silver and 20 bronze medals.
Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), came third with 87 medals, made up of 37 gold, 29 silver and 21 bronze medals, while Gregory University, Uturu, occupied the fourth position with 68 medals, including 37 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze medals.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held on Friday, at Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education, describing Sports as an essential component of the all-round development of students in tertiary institutions.
Otti, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, noted that education goes beyond acquisition of academic certificates to include physical, mental and social development.
He described the participation of 18 tertiary institutions in 24 sporting events as remarkable achievement that would contribute significantly to the holistic development of students and prepare them for challenges of the outside world.
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“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. But 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,” Gov. Otti stated.
He congratulated all participating institutions and students, emphasising that participation in the fiesta had benefits beyond winning medals and trophies.
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In her speech, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, said the competition was conceived out of recognition that education goes beyond classroom instructions and academic achievements, noting that holistic development of students should include physical fitness.
Eme-Uche said the second edition was particularly encouraging, with increased participation by institutions and students, reflecting the growing interest, wider acceptance and greater enthusiasm for the Fiesta.
“Building on experiences and lessons of inaugural edition, we have witnessed improved organisation, broader participation and stronger institutional commitment to making ASTESF a sustainable feature of our tertiary education calendar,” she said.
The Commissioner expressed profound appreciation to Governor Otti for approving and funding the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to comprehensive development of education in Abia State.
Earlier, Chairman of Central Working Committee and Special Adviser to Governor on Tertiary Education, Emeka Enyiazu, said the past few days demonstrated that the fiesta was more than a sporting competition.
“It is a bold expression of unity, inclusion, talent discovery, and infinite potential of our young people. We have brought federal, state, private institutions together, broken institutional barriers, created common platform where talent, not institutional status, takes centre stage,” Enyiazu said.
He said the students displayed courage, discipline, teamwork, resilience and healthy competition, discovering strengths and building friendships beyond boundaries of respective campuses.
Dr. Enyiazu said while the fiesta has produced winners and medal holders, it also created opportunities for tomorrow’s Champions to emerge.
He expressed belief that among the athletes are future national and international Champions whose journey may have begun on the platform.
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