The National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ) has announced that Kaduna State will host the 32nd edition of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Sports Competition from October 16 to 29, 2026, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for Saturday, October 17.
The President of NASAJ, Noah Sunday, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, where he highlighted preparations for the tournament, improved sporting facilities, security arrangements and the growing prospects of discovering young sporting talents within the judiciary.
Sunday commended the government and people of Akwa Ibom State for their hospitality and support during the previous edition, describing the tournament as a success by every standard.
He, however, expressed optimism that the forthcoming competition would be more exciting, citing the commitment of the Kaduna State Government and the renovation of sporting facilities ahead of the event.
According to him, facilities, including the Ranchers Bees Stadium, have undergone renovation, while other sports venues have also been inspected and found suitable for the competition.
He added that the state government’s involvement, alongside the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee and other relevant committees, had boosted confidence in the preparations for a smooth and successful tournament.
The NASAJ president said the competition would feature several sporting events, including football, volleyball, handball, tennis, badminton, swimming, athletics, table tennis, chess, archery and other recreational activities.
He explained that the games were designed to promote discipline, integrity, fairness, excellence and professionalism among judicial officers and staff, while strengthening institutional relationships and encouraging a healthy work-life balance.
“These events are designed to encourage broad participation, strengthen institutional relationships and promote a healthy work-life balance among members of the judiciary.”
On the future of sports within the judiciary, Sunday said the association had opened participation to interested judicial officers and staff, including newly employed personnel, to identify emerging talents capable of representing the country in international competitions.
He stressed, however, that participation would remain restricted to judicial officers and staff of the judiciary to maintain discipline and uphold the standards expected of the institution.
“We are doing it so that they can represent us even at international engagements. For that reason, we make it very open to staff of the judiciary and judicial officers,” he said.
Sunday expressed confidence that young athletes participating in the Kaduna tournament could set new records and further strengthen the judiciary’s contribution to national sports development.
He also acknowledged the support of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, whose leadership and commitment, he said, continued to inspire initiatives aimed at improving the welfare, unity, productivity and well-being of judicial officers and staff.
Earlier, NASAJ Secretary-General, Musa Aliyu, disclosed that more than 3,000 athletes were expected to participate in the tournament, while the overall gathering could attract close to 10,000 people from judicial institutions and courts across the country.
Aliyu said the competition would determine the winners of the overall trophy and individual sporting events, recalling that the National Industrial Court emerged overall champion at the previous edition, while the Federal High Court won the football event.
He noted that attention would now shift to Kaduna, where participating institutions would compete for honours in the various sporting disciplines.
The secretary-general urged stakeholders, sports enthusiasts and members of the media to attend the event and showcase the talents of judiciary personnel.
The association said the tournament would provide an opportunity for judicial officers and staff from across the country to interact, promote unity and demonstrate their sporting abilities in an atmosphere of friendship and healthy competition.
