It is truly a new dawn in the development of sports in Delta State as the Governor reiterated the need to catch the children young as a measure to further strengthen the youths and sports development in the State.
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa speaking on Thursday at the kick-off ceremony of the 2021 Edition of Zenith Bank Delta Headmasters’ Cup in Asaba heralded the charge.
According to the Governor through his representative Hon. Festus Ovie-Agas who doubles as his Chief of Staff, pointed out the importance of sports in the society as a tool that promotes discipline and helps in building confidence in the minds of the youths.
For the governor:” there is need to catch them young as the importance of sports in the development of our youths through sports cannot be over emphasized.
“It promotes discipline and helps to build confidence in the youths and above all, takes them away from the streets.”
Speaking further, the Governor maintained that as a government, “we need to monitor and mentor the youths so that one day these young men could be elevated into a proper sports academy where they would further be polished.”
The ceremonial football match between the defending champions, Nosiere Primary school 1, Agbor and Uzoigwe Primary School, Asaba was later kicked off by the Governor.
The Hon. Commissioner for Primary Education, Hon. Chika Ossai in his remark, posited that the state government was set out to discover talents through sports.
He went ahead to maintain that a continual proper monitoring and mentoring would be ensured in order to get these talented children to the level where they can compete with their peers in any part of the world.
Commenting on the success of competition, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu as represented by Mr. Ijeoma Okowa, held that the bank felt accomplished with the development.
Remarking further, the Zenith Bank boss upheld that the bank has reaped profits in the area of the quality of talents the competition has helped to discover.
The kick-off of the football match in Asaba also marked the kick-off of the tournament in different Local Government Areas of the State .
Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba is expected to host the finals of the 2021 Edition of Zenith Bank Headmasters’ Cup come November 11, 2021.