To Play In Ongoing Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup, Students Pay To Clear Football Pitch

Despite participating in a football tournament, which should be rightly considered an elite competition, given the pedigree of the sponsors- leading Nigerian Bank, Zenith Bank and the oil-rich Delta State Government, the authorities of one of the participating schools,  Adaigbo Secondary, School, Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, resorted to charging fees for the purpose of hiring a mower to clear the bushy  school football field ahead of a fixture.

Yet, the ongoing football competition is highly celebrated in the media by both Zenith Bank and the Delta State Government. The games have been much-touted to be a rare contribution to sports development in the country, through the rejuvenation of the ‘catch them young’ culture.

It was noted that despite being sent to the public school system, given that such schools are considered to be tuition-free, it was one of several fees arbitrarily levied by school authorities, of which the only response by the government is that the fees are unapproved. 

Besides, many of the young footballers appear very odd during matches, with either total absence of kits or use of improvised ones, while the organisation of matches, particularly outside Asaba, the state capital, is far shabbier than anyone could have imagined, given the hype that the sponsors had often given to the competition.