Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has declared that his state will continue to lead in sports in the country.
This is as he also pledged that his government would continue to support sports development in the state.
He said by doing so, the government would be developing the mind and improve physical development.
His words: “As a state government, we will continue to support sports development because in our schools, we are not only ensuring sound development of the mind in providing good environment and qualified teachers, we are also, ensuring proper physical development of our youths.”
Okowa spoke shortly after presenting a trophy to the winners of this year’s edition of the Delta State Principal’s Cup, Obule Integrated School, Sapele.
He said the outcome of the competition had shown that Delta would continue to dominate in sporting competitions in the country.
The final of the competition was played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Monday and watched by the Okowa, his deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro.
Obule Integrated School defeated Boys Secondary School 2-1.
“We started this Principal’s Cup tournament three years ago and it has greatly improved from what we saw with the very wonderful display of football talents by the two teams,” Okowa said, disclosing, “what we are doing with the Principal’s Cup, Headmaster’s Cup and Athletics championship is to reenact what we witnessed in the old Bendel.”
“With these championships, talents that would have lost are discovered and we will nurture them to become future stars because, we have the talents, we have chosen to catch them young and grow them into disciplined persons in the future,” he asserted while commending Zenith Bank for sponsoring the tournament and also, praising all those who ensured that the championship was successful.
At the first half of play, Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku was leading 1-0, while the Obule Integrated School in the second half, equalized and scored the winning goal.
18-seater bus was presented to Obule Integrated School, Sapele with a cash prize of N1 million while Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku received the sum of N500, 000.
Ekpan Secondary School which beat Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku to clinch the third position received the sum of N300, 000.
Cash and other prizes were also, given to the players at the colourful ceremony.
