Excitement is building across Delta State as over 756 public and private primary schools prepare to battle for glory in the 2025 Zenith Bank Delta Headmaster Football Cup, which kicks off next Tuesday.
Speaking at a media briefing in Asaba, the Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu, assured stakeholders of fair and transparent officiating at all stages, from the preliminaries to the zonal and final rounds.
Dr. Ashibogwu disclosed that this year’s edition will feature fresh innovations, including enhanced talent scouting, capacity-building workshops for Games Masters and Sports Officers, and the introduction of character and leadership development modules aimed at nurturing well-rounded student-athletes.
> “This competition has grown beyond football. It’s now a platform for holistic education, discipline, and youth empowerment,” Ashibogwu said.
“We remain grateful to Zenith Bank Plc for its consistent partnership and corporate social responsibility, which continues to shape young lives across Delta.”
He noted that the Headmaster Cup had over the years become a breeding ground for budding football talents and had fostered stronger inter-school relationships while promoting sportsmanship and unity among pupils.
Representing the sponsors, Mr. Obayendo Ogheneovo of Zenith Bank commended the Delta State Government for its unwavering commitment to sports development, describing the Headmaster Cup as a vital pillar of grassroots football growth.
“Zenith Bank’s involvement is driven by our belief in youth and community development through sports,” Ogheneovo stated. “We appreciate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his exceptional support for sports, as seen during the successful hosting of the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba.
“We’re optimistic this competition will continue to produce the next generation of football stars.”
Also speaking, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Sports Development, Mr. Harrison Ocholor, said meticulous planning had gone into ensuring a seamless fourth edition of the tournament.
He hinted that the competition structure was being fine-tuned for greater efficiency and visibility, while urging Zenith Bank to continue raising the bar in grassroots football sponsorship.
“Delta remains the home of champions,” Ocholor declared. “With the Governor’s support and Zenith Bank’s partnership, we are confident this edition will surpass previous records both in organization and talent discovery.”
The Zenith Bank Delta Headmaster Cup, now in its fourth edition, has become one of the state’s premier grassroots football competitions, nurturing future stars and reinforcing Delta’s reputation as Nigeria’s sporting powerhouse.
