By Lucky Isibor
The Eyoto Sports Academy is organising a two day ‘Under 15 Athletics Championship’ for both females and males would be flagged off in Benin, Edo State on Thursday, 5 November.
The Championship which is being organised in collaboration with the Edo State Sports Commission; is aimed at catching sports athletes young, it was said.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, 4 December, 2024 in Benin, the President of Eyoto Sports Academy, Dr. Felix Idahosa said it was a way to give back to the society that made them; the founders.
The organisers are focusing on schools in Edo South with 708 student athletes participating, 20 from each school, it was said.
As the Championship aims to discover raw student athletic talents at a young age; 11, 12, “Support them, provide them an opportunity for training, and provide them whatever assistance that they may need including funding”, Idahosa stated.
“We make sure we catch these kids at the right time, and then support them along the way in the next three, or four years.”
He urged the students to take their studies very seriously as they train hard in sports to be able to steadily progress to higher levels.
“In the U.S if you are not doing well in school, they drop you from sports. So, make sure you are doing well in school while you train hard so that you become relevant and can compete.”
From this event, student athletes are discovered for future competitions representing Edo State, Mutiu Oluwa, Head coach Edo State Athletics Association asserts.
He emphasised that participants must be below age 15, adding that there will be 10 events for the boys and 10 for the girls, including mixed relays.
Reacting to a question, journalists were told that the coaches do the monitoring of the athletes discovered and also track their level of growth and development, while Eyoto Sports Academy provides all the needed support, including funding.
The organisers disclosed that the 10 outstanding athletes at the championship will be picked for the Academy’s scholarship.
“It is not even compulsory that you win; if we see the potential in you, we pick you for nurturing.”
Eyoto Sports Academy promised the young athletes scholarship in their education both at home and abroad; with many already enjoying this privileged offer.
Some of the athletes already on the Academy’s scholarship includes; Pristina Ochonogor; an Olympian who was said to have gotten admission into Tennessee University in the United States of America.
Also, Ebiyadi Becky, and Idahosa Isaiah who is already on scholarship at the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, amongst others.
The finals would hold on Friday, with Coach Mutiu promising a level playing ground for all participants.