Benson Nebo Foundation Annual Sports Championship

🏆 Benson Nebo Foundation Annual Sports Championship for Secondary Schools

“Inspiring Unity, Talent, and Development.”

🎯 INTRODUCTION

The Benson Nebo Foundation Annual Sports Championship is a yearly inter-school sports competition designed to promote youth development, unity, and healthy living among secondary school students across Enugu State’s 17 Local Government Areas.

This flagship event will bring together the best young athletes from every LGA to compete in various sporting disciplines, celebrate teamwork, and showcase the incredible potential of Enugu’s youth.

The Championship will serve as a platform to discover, nurture, and empower future sports talents, while also promoting discipline, confidence, and friendship among participants.

🏅 AIM

To harness and develop the sporting talents of secondary school students in Enugu State, while using sports as a tool for youth empowerment, unity, and community development.

The program aims to inspire young people to embrace sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition — building a generation of disciplined, confident, and responsible citizens.

🎯 OBJECTIVES

1. Promote Youth Development and Empowerment

   • To provide a state-wide platform for students to express their talents and represent their schools and LGAs with pride.

   • To use sports as a catalyst for personal growth, discipline, and leadership development.

2. Encourage Unity and Social Harmony

   • To bring together students from diverse backgrounds across all 17 LGAs, fostering peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.

   • To strengthen community ties through positive and inclusive sporting activities.

3. Talent Discovery and Mentorship

   • To identify and support outstanding student-athletes who show exceptional skill and sportsmanship.

   • To connect discovered talents with professional sports academies, coaches, and sponsorship opportunities.

4. Promote Physical and Mental Well-being

   • To encourage active lifestyles, fitness, and emotional resilience among students.

   • To combat idleness, drug abuse, and antisocial behaviors through structured sports engagement.

5. Boost Local Participation and Representation

   • To ensure every Local Government Area participates through selected schools, creating fair representation across the state.

   • To strengthen inter-school collaboration and LGA-level sports coordination.

6. Foster Gender Equality in Sports

   • To promote equal participation of male and female students in all sporting categories.

   • To highlight and celebrate the achievements of female athletes in Enugu State.

7. Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

   • To align the Championship with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

   • To promote inclusive community development through youth-centered activities.

⚽ SPORTS CATEGORIES

Participating schools will compete in various events, including:

• Football (Boys & Girls)

• Athletics (Track & Field)

• Volleyball

• Table Tennis

• Basketball

• Handball

• Chess & Scrabble

• Tug of War (Exhibition Event)

📅 PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Stage 1 – Local Government Qualifiers (March–April)

• Each LGA organizes an internal competition among secondary schools to determine its top team(s) and athletes.

• Coordinated by LGA Sports Committees with Foundation supervision.

Stage 2 – Zonal Eliminations (May–June)

• LGAs are grouped into 3 zones:

  • Enugu North Zone

  • Enugu Central Zone

  • Enugu South Zone

• Winners from LGAs compete within zones to qualify for the State Finals.

Stage 3 – State Finals (July)

• Finalists from each zone converge in Enugu City for the Grand State Championship.

• Includes opening ceremony, parade of schools, matches, medal presentation, and closing gala.

🥇 AWARDS & RECOGNITION

• Best LGA Sports Team of the Year

• Best Male & Female Athletes

• Fair Play Award

• Sportsmanship Award

• Coaches & Mentors Recognition Plaques

• Scholarship opportunities for exceptional athletes to further their education and career.

💡 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Youths across Enugu State motivated toward active, purposeful living.

• Improved unity, cooperation, and sports spirit among schools and communities.

• Discovery of new sports talents capable of representing Enugu State and Nigeria.

• Strengthened partnership between schools, local governments, and the Foundation.

💬 OUR MISSION

“Empowering Youth Through Sports – Building a Healthier, Stronger Enugu.