Edo Boys High School and Emotan College have been crowned the winners of the boys’ and girls’ categories of the inaugural EYOTO Schools Rugby Tournament held on *Wednesday, 10th December 2025* at *Edo Boys High School, Adolor, Benin City*. This achievement mirrors the success of both schools at the *4th edition of the Ehibam School Rugby Tournament in 2023.
The Rugby edition is the 3rd Sports that the EYOTO Sports Academy have selected for sponsorship in the 2025 edition. Namely Athletics, Cycling and Rugby. Cycling demonstration kicked off the Championship on Friday 5th December 2025 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, followed by the Traditional Athletics Championship which has run consistently for 6 years now. Then came first Team Sports Rugby which is fast growing sports in Edo State and Nigeria.
In the Athletics events which took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Monday 8th & Tuesday 9th December 2025 saw the discovery of talents for future National Youth Games, the up coming Niger Delta Games & the Main National Sports Festival podium for Edo State.
The young but very savvy Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Hon. Desmond Aladin Enebulele who was physically present to present prizes at the finals of the Athletics events on Tuesday 9th December 2025 was feasibly excited with the talents discovered for Edo State through the EYOTO Sports Academy. He helped present medals to the winners of the boys and girls 100m champions.
The victorious athletes were not only decorated with their medals but also went home with Cash prizes and various gift items, adding an extra layer of excitement and reward to their outstanding performances.
The following ten outstanding discovered athletes were selected and given scholarships namely
1. Ayogu Miracle – Nicowa Sec School
2. Joy Joshua – The Lords own Inter School
3. Anayo Chisom – Oba Akenzua Sec School
4. Aigbe Promise – ldia college
5. Esther Anochie – Nicowa sec school
6. Favor Stephen – Edokpolor college
7. Caleb Moses – The Lords own
8. James Jomah – Nicowa sec school
9. Divine Okolobuike – BENIN Technical
10. Adibeli sabastine – Asoro Grammer School
Meanwhile, the One day Schools Rugby TOURNAMENT which started by 1pm due to the fact that the schools were writing their examinations, saw the first winners when the host Edo Boys High School pipped a well drilled Technical College team in a thrilling finals that went into extra time and got all spectators, children, the organiser, guest and the sponsors on the edge of their seats. Edo Boys eventually won by 10 points to 5 points to lift the giant prestigious floating EYOTO trophy for the first time in extra time.
On the other hand in the Girls category EMOTAN COLLEGE defeated their perennial challenger and neighbours Idia College 10 points to nil to claim the 1st EYOTO Schools Rugby Girl giant trophy.
It was a huge celebration for the Edo Boys High School who benefited from being host and home of Rugby in Edo STATE, as the Principal of the Edo Boys Senior Secondary School Mrs Christy Ebewele who coincidentally is an In-Law to our own legend “Juju Man” Late Brown Ebewele who brought the beautiful game of Rugby to Edo State through “Mr Rugby” Ntiense Williams, and have since made Edo State the new home of Rugby in Nigeria.
Mrs Sabina Chikwere the Executive Director at the Edo State Sports Commission who also represented the Executive Chairman alongside with the EYOTO Sports Academy President Dr Felix Idahosa, Vice President Dr. Festus Idahosa Erese, Secretary Dr Sunny Okundolor, Friday Enoye the Treasurer alongside the Chairman of the Edo State Rugby Association Mr Anthony Chukwuemeka and his Vice Mr Hope Nelson and many other guest helped to present the Medals, Trophies and other gift items to the elated winners.
We will like to sincerely thank the EYOTO Sports Academy for including a team sports – Rugby to their sponsorship. This helps to breed young talents at early age for the State Rugby teams who are already National Champions. We also sincerely thank the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Hon. Desmond Aladin Enebulele and the entire management team for their full support and encouragement of the Tournament and Rugby in the State.
According the Organiser of the event Obong Ntiense Williams, “This tournament will further assisted Edo State to continue to win at the National Youth Games Rugby events and in extension the Open Championship as well, like the recently completed National Women Sevens Rugby Tournament which Edo State Female Team won in grand style and made history as the only team to have played and won all games without conceding a defeat or any point against!”
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Favour Sunday of EMOTAN COLLEGE and Happiness John of Imaguero Girls College emerged as the Most Valuable Player, and Highest Try Scorer of the Tournament, whilst OKUNBOR ESOHE GIFT scooped the Best Kicker Award in the Girls category respectively.
Emeka James of Edo Boys High School, Evans AKPETI of USELU Secondary School and Paul OBAKHAYA also won the MVP, Highest Try Scorer and Best Kicker Awards in the Boys category.
Brief On EYOTO Sports Academy
The Eyoto Sports Academy, is a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing young talents in Edo State, and has been a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, will featured rugby for the first time in the 2025 edition, 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 under-15 and open categories, marking a significant expansion in the scope of the championship.
According to the Vice President Dr. Festus Idahosa Erese “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”.
In his words, the Chief Scribe of the academy Dr Sunny Okundolor remarked that “The academy remains committed to redefining sports development in Edo State, inspiring young athletes, and empowering them with the tools needed for success”.
The Treasurer Mr Friday Enoye who is a notable sports philanthropist, reinforced this sentiment by promising that the 2025 and 2026 editions will surpass expectations.
Said he, “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”.
*Event Details:*
- Rugby introduction: 2025
- Athletics competition: Under-15 and open categories
- Scholarship packages: Awarded to 10 outstanding young talents
Eyoto Sports Academy
Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium,
Benin City, Edo State
Issued by
Obong Ntiense Williams
Head Coach
Edo State Rugby Association
