Arue Secondary School, Uromi, have emerged winners of the second Uromi Like Minds Initiative (ULMI) Secondary Schools Football Competition in Edo.
The tournament, sponsored by the ULMI, had 16 participants from Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.
To emerge winners, Arue school defeated Agba Grammar School, also of Uromi by a lone goal.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, Sylvester Ekpen, the Chairman of the initiative, said the competition was meant to contribute towards youth development in area.
Ekpen, who congratulated the winners, called on the students in the area to always be good ambassadors on and off the pitch.
“Last year, as part of its contribution towards the development of young minds in ENELGA, ULMI commenced this annual football tournament for secondary schools in our LGA.
“Buddy Group of Schools won the maiden edition, but found it hard to retain the cup this year as they were knocked out in the earlier rounds,” Ekpen said.
The chairman applauded the organising committee, Head of Sports Sub-Committe, Secretary-General of the Organisation, Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, as well as the ULMI members, who graced the event for ensure a successful competition.
He, however, urged members of the initiative to remain committed to course and continue to play an active role in the all round development of the community.
NAN reports that winners of the annual event went home with N100,000 while the first and second runners-up won N75,000 and N50,000, respectively.
The fourth placed team also secured a consolation prize of N30,000, with other participated schools going home with tokens.
Sebastine Osita, Head of Welfare Committee and Vice Chairman of the association, said individual cash prize were doled out to outstanding players in different categories of the soccer tourney.
Highest goal scorer award goes Theophilus Ogbonaya of Agba Grammar School with four goals, while Most Valuable Player prize went to Oboh Destiny of Arue Secondary School and Ogbodo Miracle of Agba Grammar school emerged best goalkeeper of the tournament.
