The Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for the Third Edo State Secondary Schools’ Football Championship, Lt. Col. Charles Asowata (rtd.), has revealed that the competition, organized by Edo professionals in the Diaspora, aims to provide secondary school students with the same opportunities they had growing up—opportunities to nurture their talents and potentially become global stars.
Speaking at a news conference in Benin yesterday, Asowata shared that eight teams would participate in the championship, scheduled to take place from October 28 to November 1 in the Edo State capital.
The tournament, powered by Edo Peoples Forum 2020, will feature four female teams: Idia College, Eyean Secondary School, Obiaza Mixed Secondary School, and St. Angela Girls Grammar School. In the male category, Edokpolor Grammar School, St. David Mixed Secondary School, Arue Secondary School, and Ogue Community Secondary School will compete.
Asowata emphasized that the competition will help participants develop not only their football skills but also their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. This holistic development, he said, would encourage them to excel academically and in their future careers beyond football. He called on football stakeholders in Edo to support the initiative.
The winning teams in both categories will receive N1 million, gold medals, trophies, and certificates of participation. The runners-up will be awarded N500,000, silver medals, trophies, and certificates, while the third-place teams will receive N300,000, bronze medals, trophies, and certificates.
Former Eagles’ Coach Alabi Aisien commended Asowata and his team for initiating the competition, which he said would be instrumental in discovering new football talents.
