Rugby Takes Center Stage Today At Eyoto Championship
The finals of the 6th edition of the Athletics event of the Eyoto Sports Academy Championship was held yesterday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and was graced by the Edo State Sports Executive Chairman Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Executive Director of Sports Development Madam Sabina Chikwere, the Permanent Secretary of the establishment Mrs Efe Ameze, alongside other dignitaries who gave out lots of prizes to the winners including Giant Trophies, Medals, Spick Shoes, Cash awards and scholarships just to mention a few.
Before the Athletics Championship, there was cycling demonstration on Friday 5th December 2025 in Benin City.
Attention will now shift today to the 1st edition of the Rugby event to be played at the Edo Boys High School Adolor the home of Rugby in Edo state from 12noon to 5pm, with lots of prizes up for grab.
Being a one day event, 8 out of the 16 Schools presently involved in the Edo State Rugby Program recently approved by the Edo State Ministry of Education will be slugging it out in the 1st Eyoto schools rugby tournament.
The 8 participating Schools (4 Boys & 4 Girls) for the 1st edition this year are as follows
GIRLS
1. Emagwero Girls College
2. Oredo Girls College
3. Emotan College
4. Idia College
BOYS
1. Ogbe Secondary Schools
2. Edo Boys High School, Adolor
3. Uselu Secondary School and
4. Technical College
Other side attractions will include the Senior Rugby Players of Edo State slugging it out amongst themselves with the Eyoto team in a 7’s & 10’s rugby matches just before the finals to add colour to the event and show how the beautiful game of rugby is played in the two versions.
There will also be the kicking & passing challenges will also be competed for.
There will also be a Seminar & Clinic for the Games Master and their children before the matches by 10am.
We will also use the occasion to celebrate our national team players who just returned from the World Rugby League Series in Canada and the Heritage Tournament in Ghana respectively.
Before the entry of Eyoto, we had Ehibam and other Schools tournaments since 2011 which have greatly shaped up the Edo State U-15 teams that have always won laurels for the state and are the present defending national female champions in both senior and junior categories.
Brief On EYOTO SPORTS ACADEMY
The Eyoto Sports Academy, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing young talents in Edo state, has announced plans to introduce rugby in its upcoming championships this December.
The academy, which has been a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, will feature rugby in 2025, in addition to its traditional athletics events.
Speaking on the academy’s journey and future plans, President Chief Dr. Felix Idahosa expressed gratitude for the support received from partners and stakeholders, citing the academy’s remarkable achievements over the past five years.
“Our greatest joy is seeing young people compete with all their hearts and strengths,” he said.
Idahosa emphasized the academy’s commitment to turning raw talents into world-class athletes, adding that the introduction of rugby will provide more opportunities for young athletes to shine.
Meanwhile the athletics competition will now cater to both U-15 and open categories, marking a significant expansion in the scope of the championship.
The Vice President, Dr. Festus Idahosa Erese expressed excitement about the future, noting that the introduction of rugby demonstrates the academy’s commitment to diversifying sports and creating more opportunities for young athletes.
On his part, the Treasurer of the Academy, Friday Enoye, a notable sports philanthropist, reinforced this sentiment by promising that the 2025 and 2026 editions will surpass expectations.
The Eyoto Sports Academy has also awarded scholarship packages to 10 outstanding young talents, providing financial and academic support to enable them to focus on their development.
The academy remains committed to redefining sports development in Edo State, inspiring young athletes, and empowering them with the tools needed for success.
We remain very keen to sustain the relationship with the Edo State Rugby Association and by extension Coach Ntiense Williams, who through his hard work is helping the Eyoto Sports Academy to sustain the game of rugby as a relevant sport for the total well- being and physical development of the students in Edo state.
