Gombe’s hopes of making an impact at the maiden National Intermediate Games will rest partly on its male cricket team after the side emerged as the state’s lone qualifier in the team events at the North-East zonal elimination in Damaturu, Yobe State.
The cricket team secured the ticket after three days of intense competition involving athletes from the six North-East states at the August 27 Stadium between September 10 and 12.
Gombe had entered three team events — beach volleyball, basketball and cricket — in its bid to secure qualification for the national competition, but only the cricket team made the cut.
The Director of Sports, Gombe State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Manga Sale, confirmed the qualification, saying the state’s teams put up competitive performances during the zonal exercise.
He explained that Gombe would also be represented at the national games by athletes who qualified through the individual events.
Sale, however, disclosed that the maiden National Intermediate Games had been postponed until the first quarter of 2027, a development he said would give participating states and athletes more time to prepare.
While the postponement has shifted the immediate focus of the cricket team, the state’s sports authorities are already looking ahead to another major assignment — the National Sports Festival.
Sale said Gombe athletes had commenced intensive preparations for the forthcoming zonal elimination of the festival, with the state hoping to secure strong representation at the national stage.
The National Sports Festival is scheduled to hold in Enugu State from November 27 to December 11, 2026.
The Director expressed optimism that Gombe athletes would deliver impressive performances, adding that the ministry was putting measures in place to ensure they were adequately prepared for both competitions.