Zenith Bank revives Delta State Principal’s Cup

THE Delta State Principal’s Cup competition for secondary schools which has been grounded over the years is back courtesy of Zenith Bank.

All the secondary schools in the 25 Local Governments of the state will be involved in the competition in which the preliminaries are expected to start today.

Hideaplux limited, Warri are the organisers of the event and the CEO of the outfit, Tony Pemu, said at the weekend that the Zenith Bank initiative was timely.

He said: “It is a big blessing because Delta is noted for talents in all sports especially football but our young ones have not had the opportunity over the years.

“The sponsorship of Zenith Bank will take our football back to where it belongs in the next few years.”

Group Managing Director of Zenith, Peter Amangbo, noted that the Principal’s Cup project in Delta State is part of the bank’s way of developing the Nigerian youth.

“We always try to assist youths to showcase their talents and this is just one of such events. Delta has a rich sports background and we felt is important that the secondary school football competition is revived,” Amangbo said.

There are over 1,200 private secondary schools and 446 public government secondary schools in the state.

Pemu stressed that the schools are excited with the return of the competition and they are already preparing for  it.

“We expect one winner to emerge from each of the 25 LGs in the state. The qualifiers will be later grouped into eight where the quarterfinalists will emerge. The work load is very huge because all the schools are involved. The time is short but we are working hard on all logistics,” Pemu said.