2021 ZENITH BANK HEADMASTERS’ CUP FOOTBALL COMPETITION KICKS OFF IN DELTA

The maiden edition of the Zenith Bank Headmasters’ Cup Football Tournament rolled off the ground on Thursday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, with the opening match between the defending champions of the previous edition sponsored by the Delta State Government, Nosiere Primary School 1, Agbor and Uzoigwe Primary School, Asaba.

The match ended 5-2 in favour of Nosiere Primary School, Agbor, after leading their opponents 3-2 in the first half and consolidating the victory with 2 additional goals in the second half of play.

The State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who took the kick off at the sports field of Saint Patrick’s College, Asaba, said the competition was designed to catch footballers who would do the state proud in the future young.

The Governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Governnent House, Honourable Ovie Agas, disclosed that those to be discovered during the tournament would be closely monitored, mentored and drafted to sports academies where they would be further groomed to compete in national and international competitions.

He commended Zenith Bank for sponsoring the games and declared the preparedness of the state government to partner with the private sector in the development of sports and other sectors of the economy.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Primary Education, Hon Chika Ossai, said the importance of the competition could not be overemphasized, as sports was one sure way of meaningfully engaging the children and youth, stressing that education would not be complete without the physical component.

Chika Ossai congratulated the competing schools for making it to this year’s tournament and urged the officials and players to play by the rules of the game.

The Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, sponsors of the competition, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, represented by Mr Monday Okowa, said the bank’s involvement was part of its corporate social responsibility to the society, adding that the institution was proud of the impact the sponsorship of the Principals’ Cup competition had made, hence it developed interest in the Headmasters’ Cup tournament.