Medicine Clinches Historic UNIZIK Pre-Med Football Tournament as Maiden Championship Ends in Style

By Gabriel Chy Alonta

AWKA, Nigeria — The Pre-Medical Programmes Unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has written a new chapter in its history with the successful staging of its maiden Pre-Med Football Tournament, a landmark sporting event that united students from 12 departments in a celebration of teamwork, resilience and healthy competition.

After four weeks of thrilling action, the inaugural championship reached an exciting climax on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, with Medicine emerging champions after edging Environmental Health Science in a tense penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regulation time.

The tournament, which kicked off on June 29, is the first sporting competition of its kind organised by the Pre-Medical Programmes Unit and reflects the University’s growing commitment to producing graduates who excel both academically and socially.

Speaking during the grand finale, the Coordinator of the Pre-Medical Programmes Unit, Prof. Ebere Yvonne Nwamaka Ihegihu, described the competition as a platform for building unity, leadership and lifelong friendships among future healthcare professionals.

“This tournament is more than a football competition. It is a platform for promoting teamwork, discipline, friendship and physical well-being among our students while complementing their academic pursuits,” she said.

Prof. Ihegihu expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, for approving and supporting the initiative, noting that the success of the tournament demonstrates the University’s dedication to holistic education.

She also announced that every student who participated in the competition would receive a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their commitment, sportsmanship and dedication throughout the tournament.

The championship match drew a large crowd of students, lecturers and invited guests, who witnessed an entertaining contest between Medicine and Environmental Health Science. Despite numerous chances from both sides, neither team found the breakthrough before Medicine kept their composure to win the title on penalties.

Earlier, Forensic Science secured third place after defeating Pharmacy 1–0 in the third-place playoff.

Adding colour and excitement to the event, the Pre-Med Dance Group thrilled spectators with an energetic cultural performance before the championship match.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Okolie, a member of the University’s Governing Council, commended the organisers for introducing a sporting initiative that complements academic excellence with physical and social development.

“Programmes like this help build well-rounded graduates by encouraging discipline, teamwork and healthy competition alongside academic excellence,” he remarked.

The grand finale attracted an array of distinguished guests, including former Nigerian Ambassador to Burundi and Grand Patron of the Pre-Med Sports Programme, Amb. Odii Nwosu, and his wife, Mrs. Ego Nwosu; the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Ikechukwu Mbachu; the Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Prof. Virginia Ejiofor; Prof. Glad Ahaneku; former Pre-Med Coordinators Prof. Emmanuel Akunne, Prof. Azubuike Enemor and Dr. Victor Okonkwo; Medical Librarian Dr. Adaeze Nzewi; and other principal officers of the University.

The Dean of Biosciences, Prof. Kenneth Ekwealor, represented the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Alex Chinwuba Asigbo, while the Deputy Coordinator of the Pre-Medical Programmes Unit, Dr. Onyekachi Udemezue, delivered the vote of thanks.

The event concluded with the presentation of trophies, medals and awards to the winning teams, with Medicine crowned inaugural champions, Environmental Health Science finishing as runners-up, and Forensic Science claiming third place.

The successful maiden edition has set a strong foundation for what many hope will become one of UNIZIK’s flagship annual sporting events, reinforcing the University’s commitment to nurturing excellence both inside and outside the classroom.