Maiden Edition of Sheriff Oborevwori U-17 Cup Competition for Delta Central Senatorial District Kicks off in Grand Style at Ekpan By Dr. Godwin Orhadahwe

..... As Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emphasizes the significance of engaging young talents, adding that sports help to build discipline and self confidence.

Says it will also helps to keep youths positively engaged and off the streets.

The maiden edition of Sheriff Oborevwori U-17 Football Tournament for Delta Central Senatorial District, powered by Arthur Fedinand Limited, kicked off on Sunday the 3rd day of August 2025 at Ekpan Police Station Field with Ethiope East LGA locking horns with Ughelli North LGA. The Round Rubin football competition is meant to harness grassroots talents and promote youth development through sports.

Speaking at the opening ceremony and kick-off match on Sunday, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, who was represented  by the Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Chief Solomon Ighrakpata, restated his administration’s commitment to youth development and empowerment through structured sports competitions.

Addressing the eight football teams from the eight LGAs of Delta Central Senatorial District before the kick-off match, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emphasized the significance of engaging young talents, adding that sports help to build discipline and self confidence, and also helps to keep youths positively engaged and off the streets.

 

The Governor said that continuous monitoring and mentorship would help to raise young players from Delta State to a level where they could compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

He told the players that plans were on to train very outstanding talents among them in professional sports academies for better performance, thereby giving them a career path in life.

The chairman of the opening ceremony and Director General of Warri, Uvwie, and Environs Special Area Development Agency, WUEDA, Hon. Prince Godwin Ejinyere gave encouragement to the participating local LGAs, charging them to take advantage of the tournament as a platform for positive youth engagement to develop themselves. 

While stressing the need for peace, unity and transparency, Hon. Prince Ejinyere warned the players against age cheating in order to maintain the integrity of the competition towards yielding the desired benefits for the young players.

For his part, the sponsor of the U-17 football competition, Chief Idama Amurun, who performed the ceremonial kick-off,  said the tournament was aimed at giving young footballers the golden opportunity to be discovered and supported, despite their background differentials. 

Chief Amuru noted that the organizing committee consisting of highly experienced sports administrators and professionals, who were carefully selected from within and outside Delta State, was to ensure a top-notch and hitch-free tournament strictly guided by the rules of the game.

The chairman of the Local Organising Committee, an ex-international Super Eagles player, and current Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Committee member, Mr. Edema Fuludu, MON, expressed satisfaction with the planning and success recorded so far. 

He commended the sponsor, Chief Idama Amurun for his commitment, and disclosed that the winners of the football tournament would smile home with ₦5 million, while the second, third, and fourth placed winners would get N3 million, N2 million, and N1 million respectively, while other players would receive some consolation prizes for their efforts.

In the opening match of the tournament, Ughelli North LGA walloped Ethiope East LGA 5 goals to nil. Eight U-17 teams representing Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Sapele, Okpe, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu, and Uvwie LGAs are contesting in the inaugural edition of Sheriff Oborevwori U-17 Unity Football Cup Competition for Delta Central Senatorial District.

The kickoff ceremony which took place at the Ekpan Police Station football tuff had in attendance notable politicians, top government officials, as well as prominent football managers across Delta State, including the Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, Chief Godwin Adode, and his predecessor, Chief Unomucha. 

The second match between Sapele and Uwie LGAs is fixed for Saturday 9th August 2025 at the Sapele Township Stadium, beginning from 3pm.