The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, PhD, has received an award in recognition of his contributions to grassroots sports development in the state.
The award was presented by the Next Football Stars Foundation on Sunday, shortly after the grand finale of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Young Stars Cup.
Presenting the award, Rear Admiral Mike Onah, OON (rtd), read from the citation on the plaque, which described Sir Onyeme as a Distinguished Grand Patron of Grassroots Sports Development, honoured for his outstanding leadership and sustained commitment to youth empowerment through grassroots football development.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor had performed the ceremonial kickoff to commence the final match of the tournament.
In his remarks, Sir Onyeme dedicated the award to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the people of Delta State, noting that the Governor’s passion for sports development continues to drive the growth of athletics across the state.
He said Deltans have embraced sports, particularly football, which has positioned the state as a hub for talents sought after by international football clubs.
According to him, grassroots sports development remains one of the most effective ways of “catching them young,” adding that providing equal opportunities for all Deltans is a key component of the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration.
Sir Onyeme stressed that sporting activities help to positively engage youths while preparing them physically and mentally for future challenges.
He commended the Next Football Stars Foundation for organising the competition, describing it as a platform for discovering and nurturing budding talents capable of becoming future champions.
“This is the way to build our nation and place us on the map of the world’s footballing nations,” he said, while encouraging participants to remain dedicated and continue improving their skills.
Earlier, Founder of the Next Football Stars Foundation, Ms. Udoka Edike, said the organisation is a youth-focused initiative committed to empowering young people through football, education and mentorship.
She explained that the foundation identifies and nurtures football talents from local communities and exposes them to national and international opportunities.
The final match featured Team A and Team B, with Team A securing victory through a lone goal scored in the 70th minute by jersey number 11, Stemiyi Oladotun.
The event climaxed with the presentation of the award to the Deputy Governor and prizes to the participating footballers.