The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, has been honoured with an award in recognition of his contributions to grassroots sports development in the state.
The award was presented on Sunday by the Next Football Stars Foundation at the end of the grand finale of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Young Stars Cup.
The presentation took place shortly after the final match, which attracted sports enthusiasts, community members and youth football supporters.
Presenting the award, Rear Admiral Mike Onah, OON (rtd), described the deputy governor as a strong supporter of youth empowerment through sports.
He noted that the recognition was in appreciation of Onyeme’s leadership qualities and sustained commitment to promoting grassroots football as a tool for engaging and developing young people.
Earlier, the deputy governor had performed the ceremonial kickoff to signal the commencement of the final match.
While receiving the award, Onyeme expressed gratitude to the organisers and dedicated the honour to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the people of Delta State.
He said the state government remained committed to sports development, noting that the Governor has consistently shown strong interest in using sports to empower youths.
Onyeme emphasised that football and other sporting activities provide opportunities to identify talents early, keep young people positively engaged and prepare them for future challenges.
He added that sports development aligned with the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration, which prioritised equal opportunities and youth inclusion.
Commending the foundation, the deputy governor noted that initiatives such as the Young Stars Cup could help discover and nurture young talents capable of representing the state and the country at higher levels.
He encouraged the participating teams to remain dedicated and continue improving their skills, stressing that sportsmanship and personal development are as important as winning.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of the Next Football Stars Foundation, Udoka Edike, said the organisation is committed to empowering young people through football, education and mentorship.
She explained that the foundation focuses on identifying talents from local communities and exposing them to broader national and international opportunities.
The final match was contested between Team A and Team B, with Team A emerging winners after scoring the lone goal of the encounter in the 70th minute through jersey number 11, Stemiyi Oladotun.
The event climaxed with the presentation of the award to the deputy governor, as well as prizes and recognition for the participating footballers.
