By Magnus Emuji
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Chief (Mrs.) Rose Ezewu, has said grassroots sports remain a vital tool for nurturing discipline, teamwork, resilience, and leadership qualities needed for effective nation building.
Ezewu made the assertion in Asaba during the grand finale of the 4th edition of the Zenith Bank–Delta Headmasters’ Cup competition, where she emphasised that sports play a complementary role in shaping well-rounded pupils when combined with sound academic pursuits.
She urged pupils to strike a healthy balance between sports and education, while also calling on parents, teachers, and school administrators to continue supporting children in discovering and developing their talents to their fullest potential.
The commissioner explained that the competition was not only meant to celebrate the successful completion of another edition of the grassroots sports programme but also to reaffirm the commitment of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to the holistic development of children through sports and other co-curricular activities.
Ezewu disclosed that the presentation of a bus and a cash prize of ₦2 million to the winning school has become a tradition of the competition, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Oborevwori administration’s resolve to reward excellence and promote inclusivity in the education sector.
She commended Zenith Bank Plc for its sustained commitment to sports development in Delta State, particularly at the foundational level, noting that beyond the Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup for secondary schools, the Zenith Bank–Delta Headmasters’ Cup for primary schools reflects the bank’s deep understanding of early talent nurturing.
Recalling the progression of the tournament, Ezewu said the 2025 edition of the competition commenced in October 2025 and advanced through preliminary rounds to the semi-finals, adding that the final, initially scheduled for November 13, was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.
In an interview, the Delta State Chairman of the Association of Primary School Heads of Nigeria (AOPHON), Comrade Edward Mesere, described the partnership between Zenith Bank and the Delta State Government in promoting grassroots sports as a welcome development, noting that it has continued to yield positive outcomes.
Mesere lauded public primary schools across the state for their active participation, saying the competition has remained a reliable platform for discovering and grooming young talents, as the final match featured Pessu Primary School, Warri, and Destiny Kids Academy, Ughelli.
