Edo begins search for future champions with grassroots talent hunt



By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye 
 
 

The Edo State Sports Commission has launched a major grassroots sports development initiative tagged “Discovering Tomorrow’s Stars” as part of efforts to identify and nurture young talents across the state.

The programme, scheduled to hold on Thursday at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium from 9:00 a.m., is being driven by the commission under the leadership of Executive Chairman, Amadin Desmond Enabulele.

The initiative is designed to take sports development directly to the grassroots, with students from JSS1 to JSS3 drawn from schools across Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts expected to participate.

A total of 20 secondary schools have been selected for the programme, with each school presenting 10 athletes of mixed gender for the competition. Participants will compete in athletics and several combat sports including Judo, Karate, Wrestling, Taekwondo, Boxing, Kickboxing and Kung Fu.

To ensure a smooth and efficient event, the commission has deployed 45 technical officials, including 10 officials for athletics and five officials each for the seven combat sports.

Speaking ahead of the event, Enabulele said the initiative aligns with the state government’s grassroots-focused sports development policy under the SHINE Agenda.

According to him, the programme is aimed at encouraging young people in Edo State to embrace sports as part of their culture while creating opportunities for talented athletes to be discovered early.

“When we assumed office, we were given a mandate to go to the grassroots and ‘Catch Them Young,’ in line with the Governor’s vision for sports development. This project is designed to achieve exactly that by taking sports opportunities for every local government and every child,” he said.

The commission revealed that about 270 athletes are expected to feature in the event, with athletics accounting for 200 participants, while the seven combat sports will feature 10 athletes each.

Enabulele also disclosed that all participating athletes would receive certificates and souvenirs as part of efforts to encourage wider grassroots participation in sports.

The “Discovering Tomorrow’s Stars” programme is one of the strategic initiatives being developed by the commission to uncover future stars capable of representing Edo State and Nigeria at national and international competitions.

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