In collaboration with Edo Sports Commission, an America based nonprofit making organisation,Edo People Forum has perfected its plan to organise football championship for secondary school boys and girls in Edo state.
The football extravaganza, according to the chairman of the organising body is the first step towards reactivation of School-sports in Edo state.
Tagged ‘ Edo State Secondary Schools Football Championship 2022’ is being organised across the three senatorial districts of Edo state, beginning from Saturday,15 to end 29 of October,2022.
According to the schedules of the organising body, fifteen Secretary schools of both boys and girls are registered for the competition. Seven from Edo South,which include Eghosa Grammar school, Edo College, Western Boys High School,Anglican Girls Grammar School, Idia College among others.
Only two Schools from Edo Central registered for the championship, and they include Annunciation Catholic College and Ujoelen Grammar School.
Edo North has six representatives and they include Ayogweri Grammar School, Egori Secondary School, Ogbona Secretary School among others.
The organisers added that the participanting schools in each senatorial district will slug it out in their area at the preliminary stage and that the successful ones who advance to the semifinals will come to Benin to play at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which will host the semifinals and finals.
Speaking during a press conference at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the chairman of the forum Col. Charles Aiyudubie Asowata said
the championship is being sponsored by the Edo People Forum 2020 to help provide a stage for talents discovery and harnessing same with a view to providing them with a partway to taking career in sports early in life.
” Each time I visit Nigeria, I see the condition our school children live,it breaks my heart. Some who manage to complete their secondary education sometimes don’t know where to start from. So,we believe,if they are exposed to school sports within the age bracket, it is difficult to mould them,if they miss the track. We can help by letting them know the physical and mental health benefits,as well as the economic benefits inherent.
Col. Asowata promised that his group will do everything possible to support Edo children through school sports, adding that they are going to take it beyond this maiden edition and make it annual,with other sports to be added in the future.
He announced N1.M (One Million Naira as the first prize,N500,000(Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and N300,000(Three Hundred Thousand Naira)as second and third Prizes for winners while certificates of participation will be given to the participants.
