By Onomiguren Agbamu
Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Hon Samuel Mariere, has commended the State Secondary School football team for emerging winners of the recently concluded Under-15 National School Football Championship in Abuja.
Hon Mariere gave the commendation at the SUBEB headquarters in Asaba when he formally received the victorious players, the championship trophy, and the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Receiving the victorious young players and officials, the SUBEB Boss, Hon Samuel Mariere noted that the Delta team was randomly selected from various secondary schools in the state to represent the South-South geopolitical zone in the competition.
Hon Mariere stated that it was a short period to prepare them for the tournament, but yet distinguished themselves as champions.
The Executive Chairman Subeb described the team’s triumph as another moment of pride for Delta State, and said he was confident that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori would reward the players for making the state proud.
Mariere explained that the championship, organized by the National School Sport Federation, is a FIFA- CAF recognized secondary school football tournament which is held across the African continent.
He noted that with Delta State emerging as overall winners in Nigeria, the team will now represent the country at the upcoming Africa Schools Football Championship.
Hon. Mariere announced that Governor Oborevwori had approved the immediate revival of Basic School Sports Competition across the state.
According to him, the competition will cut across all sporting events and would be organized using the old Bendel State sports festival template, beginning from the local government areas before culminating in a grand finale in Asaba.
Mariere stated that the essence of the competition is to catch talents at a young age, disclosing that every school in the state will participate, and the best schools will represent their local government at the state level.
In his remarks, the Subeb Basic Education School Sports Desk Officer, Mr. Joshua Akporiaye, who led the team to Abuja, revealed that Delta State was selected by the organizers to represent the South-South geopolitical region in the tournament.
He said the tournament was played in a league format where Delta finished top with 14 points, followed by Ekiti State with 10 points and Enugu State with 7 points.
Akporiaye commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and SUBEB for their support, stressing that the team is determined to bring glory to Nigeria when the Africa championship begins.
Most Valuable Player of the tournament is Master Ifeanyi Prosper, while the team’s coach is Mr Victor Odutomare.
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