Excitement, colour, and fierce competition took centre stage as Citadel Group of Schools celebrated its 20th anniversary with a vibrant inter-house sports competition, bringing together students, parents, and staff in a grand display of talent and unity.
The landmark event, held on Wednesday, 18th March, 2026 featured a wide range of track and field activities, as well as football and novelty games, underscoring the school’s commitment to holistic education beyond the classroom.
Speaking at the event held at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, the Proprietress of Citadel Group of Schools, Lady Dr. Pat Anako, described this year’s edition as particularly significant, marking two decades of the institution’s impact in the education sector.
“This year’s edition is special because we are marking our 20 years in the educational sector. A work without play makes Jack a dull boy. What we are doing is being intentional, setting goals, and aligning with our vision and mission,” she said.
She noted that the competition was designed to showcase students’ diverse talents while fostering unity within the school community.
“Today you can see students competing and displaying talents in sports and many other areas. This is bringing everybody together — both parents and students. Everything is not classroom-based; this is pure outdoor learning,” Lady Anako added.
Reflecting on the school’s journey, she highlighted years of dedication and continuous improvement as the driving force behind its success.
“It took time, dreams, sleepless nights, and effort to build what we have today. I always encourage others to be intentional, pursue their dreams, and keep pushing in the right direction,” she said.
The Sports Coordinator, Mr. Agbo Ifeanyi, described the competition as a milestone, noting that it provided a platform for students to fully express their athletic abilities.
“This is the first of its kind where students showcased their talents extensively in track and field events. We are very happy about the outcome,” he said.
He listed key events to include the 100m race, 400m and 800m races, 4x100m relay, long jump, football, and tug of war, among others.
The competition featured five houses — Blue, Purple, Green, Yellow, and Red — all competing fiercely for top honours.
At the end of the day, Purple House emerged overall winner with 263 points, clinching the coveted first position. Yellow House followed closely with 246 points, while Red House secured third place with 245 points. Blue House finished fourth with 229 points, and Green House placed fifth with 168 points.
Individual brilliance was also recognised, with Uwalaka Armstrong (Purple House) and Ibeh Blessing (Yellow House) emerging as Sports Icons of the Year (Secondary category) for their outstanding performances.
Participants and spectators alike described the event as highly successful, educational, and entertaining, with many praising the school’s emphasis on blending academics with extracurricular development.
The 20th anniversary sports fiesta not only celebrated Citadel Schools’ legacy but also reinforced its vision of nurturing well-rounded students equipped for the future.
