Ighogbadu Primary School in Warri South local government area have emerged winners at the finals of the 2024 edition of the Zenith Delta Headmaster’ Cup.
In the finals decided on Thursday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Ighogbadu Primary School defeated Johannah Model School, Udu their opponents by a lone goal to the second place to lift the coveted trophy, go home with a cash prize of N2m and a bus, which is to be presented in due course
The third place match ended in favour of Ani-nshi Primary School, Ogwashi-Ukwu, which edged out Ometan Primary School, Okpe by 6 goals to 5 via penalty shoot-out.
Declaring the competition closed, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Emu commended the sponsors of the tournament which according to him will promote sports among primary school children.
Emu, noted that Zenith Bank started with the sponsorship of the Principals’ Cup at the secondary school level and later extended it to the primary school level, describing the competition, which he said was a cradle of hunting for talents, as the best thing that had happened to the state.
He said Delta had continued to be a leading state in sports competitions especially in National Youth Games, National Sports Festival, emphasizing that, ”When we host, we win; and if we don’t host, we win.”
He said he was delighted to learn that none of the players was hired by any of the schools, adding that it was a good and proper way to engage the children in sports, especially football, at their young age.
While pouring encomiums on the Zenith Bank PLC, the championship sponsors, Oborevwori noted that primary school sports had remained the best thing that had happened to the state.
He also told the bank to consider the sponsorship of female football in the years ahead and pledged the support of the state government in that regard.
Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Kingsley Ashigbogu who revealed that a total of 756 schools participated in the preliminaries, said the championship was organized to advance the policies and programmes of the present administration in promoting the game of football among primary school children.
The Commissioner noted that Zenith Bank had, through the sponsorship of the competition, helped to encourage the game of football in primary schools in the state, as was evident in the enthusiasm of the participating schools all through the tournament.
In her remarks, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umuoji, said the bank was happy to partner with the Delta State Government in promoting school sports, especially football, and was pleased with the progress the sponsorship had made so far.
The GMD/CEO, who was represented by the Regional Manager of the bank, Mr. Lucky Ighale, pledged the readiness of the financial institution to sustain and improve on the sponsorship, promising to consider adding female football, as requested, in due course.
The highlights of the event were the presentation of medals to players of Ighogbadu, Johanah and Ani-Nshi Primary Schools, as well as match officials, symbolic presentation of cheques to the schools and prizes to deserving players by the SSG and the lifting of the trophy at stake by the captain of Ighogbadu Primary School.
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