The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, has applauded the Basic School football team for emerging champions of the recently concluded Under-15 National School Football Championship in Abuja.
Hon. Mariere gave the commendation while receiving the victorious players, their officials, the championship trophy, and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player at the SUBEB headquarters in Asaba.
He explained that the team, which represented the South-South geopolitical zone, was randomly selected from various secondary schools across the state. Despite the short preparation period, he said, the young players distinguished themselves as true champions.
“This triumph is another proud moment for Delta State. I am confident that His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, will reward these young talents for bringing honour to our state,” the SUBEB Chairman stated.
Mariere further highlighted that the competition, organized by the National School Sports Federation, is a FIFA-CAF recognized basic schools football tournament held across the African continent.
With Delta emerging national winners, the team will now represent Nigeria at the forthcoming Africa Schools Football Championship.
He also announced that Governor Oborevwori had approved the immediate revival of the Basic School Sports Competition in Delta State.
The event, he said, will cover multiple sporting disciplines and will be modeled after the old Bendel State Sports Festival. It will begin at the local government level and climax in a grand finale in Asaba.
“The objective is to catch talents young. Every school in the state will participate, with the best teams from each local government advancing to the state level,” Mariere explained.
In his remarks, the SUBEB Basic Education School Sports Desk Officer, Mr. Joshua Akporiaye, who led the team to Abuja, noted that Delta State was selected to represent the South-South region in the competition.
He disclosed that the tournament was played in a league format, with Delta finishing top with 14 points, followed by Ekiti with 10 points and Enugu with 7 points.
Akporiaye praised Governor Oborevwori and SUBEB for their support, assuring that the team is fully determined to bring glory to Nigeria at the continental championship.
The Most Valuable Player of the national tournament was Master Ifeanyi Prosper, while the team was coached by Mr. Victor Odutomare.
