BENIN CITY – In fulfillment of its earlier pledge to introduce Rugby tournament into Secondary Schools in Edo State, the Ehibam Griefshare Foundation has said that the maiden edition of the annual Schools Tournament will kick off Friday, November 29, 2019 by 4pm.
The competition is scheduled to hold at Idia College in Benin City beginning from 10am – 4pm.
Recall that Ehibam Griefshare Foundation last year launched the “Ehibam Schools Rugby Program’ for secondary pupils in the state.
According to the Coordinator and Head Coach of Edo State Rugby, Mr Ntiense Williams, “The first edition of the Ehibam Schools Rugby Tournament will feature 8 Schools from the 14 Schools presently participating in the Edo State Schools program.
“The teams are divides into two categories of Four Boys and Four Girls Teams; as the boys category has.Edo Boys High School, Asoro Grammer School, Iyokogba Grammar School, and 4. Iyogbe College.
“Teams in the female category are Emotan College, Idia College, Ihogbe College, and St Mariah Goretti Secondary School respectively”
Said he, “Ehibam Griefshare Foundation have decided to partner in the development of Rugby in Nigeria and Edo State in particular by sponsoring schools tournaments and special prizes to young rugby players across the country when ever opportune.”
According to the founder of the Foundation, Pastor Dupe Irele, Ehibam Griefshare Foundation was set up three years ago in memory of his late son Ehisieme Osarieme Ehi Alonge who died at the age of 35y in England while on his way to work.
“He was a diehard Rugby player and Coach especially for his local Rugby Team and the kids of his neighborhood
“The Foundation which is involved in assisting grieving family overcome their trying times has decided to give back to society through Ehi’s love – “Rugby” and in his home town of Edo State”
“Ehi would have been 40 years this year. We belief that with the institution of a Schools Rugby program which was his ‘love’ posthumously we will keep his memory alive in our hearts and benefit the game and kids he loved so much
“We will be celebrating his 40th posthumous birthday with two activities in Edo and Lagos State respectively.
“We will also like to use this opportunity to formally congratulate our Edo State Girls Rugby team who made us proud by winning the Gold Medal at the recently concluded National Youth Games at Ilorin which Ehibam graciously played its modest role by donating two giant trophies to encourage discipline in Rugby for both the male and female categories.
‘We will like to sincerely thank the Edo State Sports Commission led by Barrister Godwin Dudu Orumen and the Edo State Rugby Association led by Engr Frank Evbuomwan for graciously partnering with us on this auspicious project of developing the beautiful game of Rugby in Edo State”, he said
