By Kingsley Okon
The long-anticipated 2025/2026 ASCOM Freshers and Stalites Sports Competition has officially kicked off with the draw of match fixtures held amid enthusiasm and excitement.
The event commenced with a warm welcome address by the Sports Director, who introduced dignitaries and key members of the association present at the occasion.
In his opening remarks, the President of the Association of Students Communicators (ASCOM) commended the Sports Unit for its commitment to fostering unity and engagement among students through sports. He emphasized the need for discipline, teamwork, and respect throughout the tournament, urging all coaches, captains, and players to be good ambassadors of the department by playing with love and fairness.
The president recalled an incident from the previous session’s Dean’s Cup competition, where a match was cancelled due to players’ misconduct and disregard for the rules. He stressed that such actions must not repeat themselves in ASCOM’s sporting events, as sports should remain a symbol of unity and excellence.
Also speaking, the ASCOM Sports Director of the 2022/2023 set read out the official rules and regulations guiding the competition. During the deliberation, the issue of squad limits was clarified — each team is to consist of 18 players, including goalkeepers and a coach.
Members of the Draws Committee further elaborated on the competition’s structure, encouraging team leaders to select their players carefully and promote the spirit of sportsmanship and departmental pride.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on November 20, 2025, with the opening match between HND 2 and ND 2, and will conclude on December 4, 2025. All matches will take place at The Polytechnic, Ibadan’s Main Pitch, North Campus.
The ASCOM Freshers and Stalites Sports Competition promises to be an exciting display of talent, teamwork, and fair play as student communicators compete for glory in the weeks ahead.