By Fr Nnamdi Okpalugo & Charles Igwe
The 2026 edition of the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Sports Competition for inmates of the Onitsha Custodial Centre is currently underway, as part of activities leading up to the Archbishop’s birthday celebration on October 20.The annual competition, which runs from August to October, is designed to promote sportsmanship, discover talents and support the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates. This year’s edition features football, table tennis, egg race and sack race.A total of 18 male teams are competing in football and table tennis, while the female inmates have two football teams and are also participating in the egg and sack races.The games are being officiated by priests and seminarians of the Archdiocese of Onitsha under the supervision of the Officer-in-Charge of the Onitsha Custodial Centre, ACC Emmanuel Dede Kanikwu.The competition is part of the Archbishop’s longstanding prison apostolate and his support for the welfare and development of inmates. His interventions at the centre have included support for educational and skills-acquisition facilities, renovation projects, provision of basic amenities and efforts towards the release and rehabilitation of inmates.In recognition of his contributions to custodial development, Archbishop Okeke was honoured in 2023 with the title Grand Patron of All Custodial Centres in Nigeria.The 2026 competition is sponsored by House of Sublimes Properties Ltd and Liver to Deliver Foundation. Organisers also called for further support from individuals and organisations to expand the tournament and strengthen its rehabilitative impact.
