The South-South Zonal Elimination for ball games has officially commenced in Benin, Edo State, with contingents from various states arriving and technical meetings underway.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Njoku Peters, has expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government and the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, for their swift response in hosting the competition.
Speaking on behalf of the participating states after a series of technical meetings on Monday afternoon at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Njoku highlighted Edo State’s commitment to sports development, describing the government’s support as a testament to its leadership in the sector.
“We commend the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his unwavering support for the zonal qualifiers and sports development in the state. His leadership has fostered an environment where athletes can excel,” Njoku stated.
He also acknowledged Hon. Amadin Enabulele for his dedication and efforts in organizing the event despite limited preparation time, emphasizing that his commitment to promoting sports in Edo State is evident and highly commendable.
Teams from Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom—except Cross River—arrived in Benin on Sunday, with technical meetings and event draws conducted on Monday. The zonal coordinator, Peter Njoku, also held discussions with state Directors of Sports.
In the football category, the host team, Edo, is set to face Bayelsa at Crescent Club Field at 9:00 AM today, followed by a match between Delta and Akwa Ibom at 11:00 AM. In the women’s category, Delta will go up against Edo at 12 noon, while Bayelsa gets a bye. Other events, including handball, will also commence in full swing today, turning the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium into a hub of sporting and economic activity.
The South-South zonal elimination features eight ball games: Abula, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey, and Volleyball.
