Delta State has clinched the national title at the Basic Education School Sports Competition, a prestigious event organized by the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) and the National School Sport Federation (NSSF) in Abuja.
This triumph grants Delta State the honor of representing Nigeria in the upcoming Under-15 Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament.
Samuel Mariere, Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), shared this news on Tuesday during a visit from the winning team to his office in Asaba, where they officially presented the National Championship Trophy.
The championship was secured after Delta State outperformed other contenders at the national finals held in Abuja from September 21 to 27.
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Mariere revealed that the team was assembled from a diverse selection of schools across the state without prior planning, making their victory all the more remarkable.
He credited this success to the benevolent leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he described as a passionate advocate for education. Mariere emphasized, “His grace leads us forward, and we are confident of continued success as we prepare to represent Nigeria at the CAF competition.”
Additionally, Mariere announced that the governor has greenlit the launch of Basic School Sports programs, which will involve schools from every local government area up to the senatorial districts, culminating in a grand finale hosted in Asaba.
He further explained that the winning athletes will be transitioned to the Delta State Sports Commission for specialized training, which will encompass a variety of sports beyond football.
Joshua Akporiaye, the Sports Officer overseeing Basic Education School Sports, reported that Delta State led the scoreboard with 13 points, followed by Ekiti State with 10 points, and Enugu State securing third place with 7 points.