Super Eagles defender, Bright Osahon who currently plays for Fenerbahçe FC in Turkey, has officially launched the second edition of his Under-13 football tournament in Edo State.
The announcement was made during a media parley held on Thursday at the Edo State Sports Commission’s media center in Benin City.
In a statement issued by the Media Officer to the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Edoko Wilson Edoko, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele commended Osayi for his unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development.
He emphasized that His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, is deeply passionate about identifying and nurturing young talents across the state.
“The Governor specifically mandated that communities within Edo State be actively engaged in discovering raw talents, and that structured tournaments should be organized to provide platforms for them to compete at local, national, and international levels,” Enabulele stated.
He further underscored the strategic importance of focusing on the Under-13 age category. “When we talk about Under-13, we are deliberate about ‘Catching Them Young.’ This tournament aligns perfectly with the Governor’s vision for sports development in Edo State,” he said, adding that the Commission is fully prepared to support the initiative with facilities and any other required resources.
Hon. Enabulele also extended his appreciation to Mr. Fred Newton, Chairman of the Edo State Football Association, for his consistent efforts in organizing youth tournaments and other impactful initiatives that continue to raise the profile of the Sports Commission.
At the event, Mr. Newton welcomed coaches, journalists, and other stakeholders, and highlighted the numerous opportunities the tournament presents to budding footballers.
He recalled that last year’s winners received impressive prizes: N1,000,000 for the champions, N750,000 for the runners-up, and N500,000 for the third-place team, along with a trophy for the overall winner.
Speaking on behalf of the tournament’s organizers, Mr. Osaro Onaghise lauded Hon. Enabulele’s leadership, particularly in the progress made with Bendel Insurance FC and broader sports development across the state.
He revealed that his younger brother, Bright Osayi, is currently in discussions with international football stakeholders in Turkey and the United Kingdom to establish a world-class football academy in Edo State.
The event concluded with the presentation of branded jerseys from Bright Osayi to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, and Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, symbolizing the footballer’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment through sports
