Obule Integrated School, Sapele, has won this year’s edition of the Delta State Principal’s Cup, with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa saying it was a clear evidence to the fact that the state will continue to dominate in sporting competitions in the country.

At the finals played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, on Monday and watched by the Governor and his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Obule Integrated School defeated Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku, 2-1.

Governor Okowa shortly after presenting the trophy to the winners, observed that it was a wonderful display of football talents.

“We started this Principal’s Cup tournament three years ago and it has greatly improved from what we saw with the very wonderful display of football talents by the two teams,” he said. “What we are doing with the Principal’s Cup, Headmaster’s Cup and Athletics championship is to reenact what we witnessed in the old Bendel.”

Continuing, Governor Okowa said: “As a state government, we will continue to support sports development because, in our schools, we are not only ensuring sound development of the mind in providing good environment and qualified teachers, we are also, ensuring proper physical development of our youths.

“With these championships, talents that would have lost are discovered and we will nurture them to become future stars because, we have the talents, we have chosen to catch them young and grow them into disciplined persons in the future.”

Governor Okowa commended Zenith Bank for sponsoring the tournament and also praised all those who ensured that the championship was successful.

At the first half of play, Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku, was leading 1-0, while the Obule Integrated School in the second half equalised and scored the winning goal.

An 18-seater bus was presented to Obule Integrated School, Sapele, with a cash prize of N1 million while Boys Secondary School, Obiaruku, received the sum of N500,000. Ekpan Secondary School, which beat Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku, to clinch the third position, received the sum of N300,000.

Cash and other prizes were also, given to the players at the colourful ceremony.

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left); Chief and Mrs. Charles Obule (right) and the Team Captain of Obule Boys Integrated School, Neye Jolomi, during the 2018/2019 Edition of Zenith Bank Delta State Principals Cup Finals, between Obule Boys Integrated School VS Boys Secondary School Obiaruku, at Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba.