Plateau Set to Host Maiden North-Central Waka Football Tournament in Jos
Plateau State is set to host the maiden North-Central Zonal Waka Football Tournament in Jos from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27, bringing together walking football teams from Plateau, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.
The three-day tournament, hosted by the Plateau State Waka Football Association, is expected to provide another significant platform for the growth of walking football in Nigeria while promoting active participation among older football enthusiasts.
The competition is open to men aged 50 years and above and women aged 40 years and above, highlighting the sport’s growing role in keeping former players, football lovers and other participants actively involved in the game.
Walking football is a modified version of football designed around controlled movement rather than running, placing emphasis on passing, technique, positioning and tactical awareness. The format has increasingly gained attention internationally as a way of combining competitive football with recreation, social interaction and active ageing.
The Nigerian movement has also continued to develop since the establishment of the Waka Football Association of Nigeria, with organised competitions helping to expand the sport beyond its traditional centres.
Plateau, FCT, Nasarawa Set for Regional Battle
Three teams will participate in the maiden North-Central zonal championship, with Plateau, FCT and Nasarawa scheduled to meet in a round-robin format.
The fixtures will be arranged as:
- A vs B
- C vs A
- B vs C
A draw will determine the identities of Teams A, B and C. The draw is scheduled to take place on Friday night or early Saturday morning.
With every team facing the other two participants, the tournament promises to produce a compact but competitive contest in which every point and goal could prove important.
50-Minute Matches
Each match will be played over 50 minutes, comprising two 25-minute halves separated by a 10-minute interval.
The competition will operate under the applicable FIFA Laws of the Game and tournament regulations, with the final standings determined through the prescribed ranking criteria.
Points will be considered first, followed by goal aggregate and head-to-head criteria where necessary to separate teams level on points.
A New Platform for North-Central Waka Football
Beyond the competition itself, the Jos tournament represents an important step in the regional development of Waka Football.
The inclusion of both men and women also underlines the inclusive character of the sport, providing participants who fall within the designated age categories with an opportunity to remain connected to competitive football in a format adapted to their stage of life.
For Plateau, FCT and Nasarawa, the tournament offers an opportunity to showcase their growing walking-football programmes, strengthen regional competition and contribute to the wider development of Waka Football in Nigeria.
When the action begins in Jos on September 25, the focus will be on more than the trophy. It will be a celebration of football, longevity, fitness, friendship and the enduring passion for the beautiful game.
The maiden North-Central Zonal Waka Football Tournament will run from September 25 to 27, 2026, in Jos, Plateau State.
