Delta reaffirms commitment to grassroots sports as 2025 Headmasters’ Cup kicks off in Asaba
Delta State Government has restated its commitment to investing in sports infrastructure, training facilities, and grassroots competitions.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori made this known on Tuesday in Asaba during the kick-off ceremony of the 2025 Zenith Bank Delta Headmasters’ Cup Competition between Okwe Primary School, Asaba, and Ezemese Primary School, Ibusa.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, the governor commended Zenith Bank for its continued sponsorship of the Headmasters’ Cup.
He assured that his administration remained determined to sustain the state’s leading position in sports across the country through deliberate and sustained investment in youth development.
Governor Oborevwori urged the participating primary school football players to play with passion, discipline, and fairness.
“Remember, you are not only representing your schools but also writing the first pages of your personal stories. Many great footballers began just like you on school fields, with dreams in their hearts and hope in their eyes. With hard work, humility and perseverance, the sky will be your starting point.
“To our teachers, headmasters and coaches, I say thank you. You are the backbone of this initiative. Your mentorship and commitment continue to shape the character of our future leaders and champions,” he said.
In his remarks, the Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibogwu, said the yearly tournament had become one of the proud symbols of the state’s commitment to grassroots sports development and youth empowerment.
Representative of Zenith Bank, Ogunbor Ubaka, described the sponsorship initiative as part of the bank’s Youth and Sports Development Programme, which aligns strongly with its Corporate Social Responsibility pillars—education, youth empowerment, and community development.
“Over the years, Zenith Bank has continued to invest in grassroots sports, including the Lagos Zenith Bank Basketball League, Delta State Principals’ Cup, and this Delta State Headmasters’ Football Cup, which focuses on pupils in primary schools between ages 6 and 12—the foundation stage of academic and physical development,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the opening match of the competition, Ezemese Primary School, Ibusa, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, defeated Okwe Primary School, Asaba, in Oshimili South Local Government Area, by a lone goal.
Ogun Delight of Ezemese Primary School scored the only goal of the match in the first half, while Okwe Primary School missed a penalty kick awarded to them following an infringement committed by a player from Ezemese Primary School.
In post-match interviews, the captain of the winning team, Ernest Success, expressed satisfaction with the victory, while his counterpart, Oputa Chigoziem of Okwe Primary School, Asaba, said his team would improve in subsequent matches despite missing the penalty kick.
