The much-awaited 2026 Kano State Higher Institutions Games (KASHIGA) (Staff Games) will officially get underway this evening at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, with participating institutions set to battle for honours across various sporting events.
The competition, which brings together higher institutions from across Kano State, is expected to provide an opportunity for staff to showcase their sporting abilities while promoting friendship, healthy competition and sports development within the tertiary education system.
READ ON: KASHIGA Staff Games Set for Opening Ceremony at Sani Abacha Stadium
Ahead of the opening ceremony, SportsEye contacted heads of sports directorates and officials of some participating institutions to ascertain their level of preparedness, the events they have registered and the number of athletes they are taking to the competition.
The responses obtained indicate varying levels of participation, with some institutions entering as many as five events while others are focusing on fewer disciplines.
BUK Enters Five Events
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) will compete in five events, according to Prof. Muhammadu Rabiu, who disclosed that the institution has registered for football, badminton, table tennis, walk race and tug of war.
He also assured that the university is fully prepared for the competition.
Northwest University Goes for Four

Northwest University, Kano, will participate in four sporting events.
The Head of its Sports Directorate, Dr. Ahmad Suraj, told SportsEye that the university will compete in football, table tennis, badminton and walk race.
He expressed the institution’s readiness to participate in the games.
FUST Kabo Takes 24 Athletes

The Federal University of Science and Technology (FUST), Kabo, will participate in three events, with a total of 24 athletes representing the institution.
According to the Head of Sports Directorate, Umar Idris Shanono, the university will field 22 players in football, while one athlete each will compete in badminton and table tennis.
KASCEPS Registers Two Events
The Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies (KASCEPS) will participate in football and table tennis.
Its Director of Sports, Aliyu Muhammad, disclosed that the institution will present 23 players for football and two players for table tennis, bringing its total number of athletes to 25.
Capital University Presents 35 Athletes

Capital University is also among the institutions entering five events at this year’s KASHIGA.
According to Dr. Idris, the university will compete in football, table tennis, badminton, race and tug of war.
“We are presenting a total of 35 players to represent the university across all events,” he said.
More Institutions Expected to Unveil Details
With the games officially commencing today, more participating institutions are expected to reveal details of their contingents, including the sporting events they have registered and the number of athletes they are presenting.
KASHIGA is expected to provide a platform for staff of higher institutions to compete, interact and promote sports development while also encouraging institutions to pay greater attention to sporting activities.
As competition begins across the designated venues, the focus will now shift to the athletes, with each institution hoping to secure medals and make a strong statement in the 2026 edition.
SportsEye will continue to provide updates on KASHIGA 2026, including results, participating institutions, sporting events and other developments from the competition.
