… as 50 Edo Schools set to battle for medals, title
… 700 young talents meet for U-15 athletics tourney in Benin
The 5th edition of the Eyoto Sports Academy Competition is set to kick off December 5 through December 6, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The 2-day highly anticipated grassroots athletics tournament will bring together over 700 young and emerging talents across 50 schools in the Benin metropolis to compete for medals, trophies and scholarships.
The Eyoto Championship has seen many star athletes from indigenous schools gain sponsorship programs courtesy of the Exco, Eyoto Sports Academy under the leadership of its President, Chief Dr. Felix Idahosa; Vice President, Festus Idahosa Erese; Secretary, Sunny Okundolor; Treasurer, Friday Enoye and Head Coach, Edo State Athletics, Mutiu Oluwa.
Speaking with the Nigerian Observer correspondent, Eyoto Sports Academy President, Chief Dr. Felix Idahosa said, “The championship Prize money will be the same as last year. The date is still December 5th and 6th, 2024, with the first hit taking place on December 5 and the finals on December 6, while the pre-match media parley will be held on December 4 at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Ten events for boys and girls will be competed including, 100/200m Long jump, 400m, 800/1500m, 4×100, 4×400m relay, and medley relays, among others.
“The tournament will feature ten events for boys and girls, with over 700 athletes expected to participate from 50 schools limited to the five Local Government Areas in Edo South.
“There will be both medals and cash prizes. The Competition prizes will be the same as last year: N25,000 for the Gold medalist, N15,000 for the Silver medalist, and N10,000 for the Bronze medalist, while the Eyoto Cup will be awarded to the school with the most medals,” he said.
Chief Idahosa maintained that the Eyoto Academy scholarship scheme will be sustained, followed by mouthwatering cash prizes aimed at empowering athletes and the schools they come from.
“Members of Eyoto Sports Academy Executive Council will be traveling to Benin City for the competition before the end of November.
“I implore everyone to support and make this year’s competition successful”, he added.
The tournament category for Under-15 (U-15) athletes has produced and trained star athletes from Edo South, Edo Central, and Edo North Senatorial Districts.
Suffice to state that through previous Eyoto competitions, Edo State enjoyed the compliments of athletes from Eyoto Academy representing the state at higher levels of national and international competitions, namely U-21 World Junior AthIetics Championships in Zambia in 2022, Paris Olympic Games in France in 2024 and a notable female athlete, Christina Ochologor who competed in long jump also at Peru World Junior in 2024.
This development enabled Eyoto Academy executives to pursue excellence with determination and commitment to the annual sponsorship of the competition.
The 2023 edition hosted dignitaries including Dr. Godwin Obasogie, Dr. Bruce Ijirigho, Charlton Ehizuelen, and Uzor Odigbo.
Others include Bishop David Azenabor, Peter Akpobaro Ese, Courage Osawe, and Dr. Steve Ogbonmwan, as well as the award of scholarships to deserving young talents that won their events with remarkable times and giveaways which include, spike shoes, T-shirts, caps, and more.
Idahosa assured that all plans have been worked out to ensure good competition for young athletes in this year’s Championship which promises to be a tournament to remember in youth sports in Edo State.
