By Bassey O Bassey
Chairman of the Oredo Local Government Council, Dr Tom Obaseki, has unveiled and flagged off the primary and junior school competitions across the 12 wards of the council area.
Dr. Obaseki who was supported by his principal staff and officials of the State Sport Council, promised to collaborate the council to make the competitions huge success.
The Council Chairman disclosed that the competitions are categorized into two groups – boys and girls in Primary Schools and boys and girls in Junior Secondary Schools, noting that some primary and junior schools were randomly selected to participate in the competitions.
Schools like Oredo Girls, New Era Girls, Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS), Uwa Primary School, Obaseki Primary School, Ivbiotor Primary School, Ogbe Primary School, and others were selected to participate in competitions slated to start from 2nd of May 2, 2024 to July 20, 2024.
The championship, according to Dr. Obaseki is aimed at discovering and developing young football talents, which will be hosted across four centers, including Uwa Primary School, Owegie Primary School, New Era College, and Anglican Girls Grammar School.
He further disclosed that an international scout would be present at the championship to identify outstanding players for international opportunities.
According to the Council Chief, the event has received support from notable partners, including the Edo State Sports Commission, 70s Grill, and Edo State Drivers Welfare Scheme.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Olympia Yusuf Ali, praised Dr. Tom Obaseki’s commitment to societal development and pledged the commission’s support for the event, saying that the “sports is not only a game but an industry.”
The Oredo School 5-Aside Football Championship sets a precedent for local government investment in sports development in Nigeria, demonstrating Dr. Tom Obaseki’s resolve to support the future of football in the country by developing raw talents in Oredo through the “Catching Them Young” initiative.”
Notable faces include the Secretary to the Council, Dr. Wellington Osadolor, HOLGA, DR. Osaini Igbinigie, Ag PS, State Sports Commission, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Education Secretary LGAE, Ella Idahosa, Supervisory Councilors, and School wards cut across the government area, attended the event.
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