Penalty shootout drama crowns Buddy Group of Schools at ULMI tourney in Uromi

UROMI - The 2025 Annual Secondary Schools Football Tournament organised by the Uromi Like Minds Initiative (ULMI) ended with Buddy Group of Schools emerging champions after defeating defending title holders, Agba Grammar School, 4–1 on penalties following a 1–1 draw at regulation time.

The thrilling final, played at the main bowl of the Esan North East Council Sports Complex, drew a large crowd of students, parents, community leaders and football enthusiasts, who witnessed a tense contest marked by discipline, tactical play and resilience from both sides.

Earlier, the girls’ final between Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School and Ebhoyi Secondary School, further underscored the growing popularity of grassroots football among female students in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Beyond the excitement on the pitch, the tournament provided a platform to celebrate excellence in education, as ULMI honoured 10 long-serving teachers for their years of dedicated service and their impact on the academic and moral upbringing of students across the local government area.

In his address, ULMI Executive Chairman, Mr Darlington Okpebholo Ray, described the annual football competition as a legacy initiative aimed at youth empowerment, talent discovery, unity and character development.

He urged the students to uphold sportsmanship at all times, noting that humility in victory and dignity in defeat were essential values that extended beyond football. 

The address was delivered on his behalf by the Chairman of ULMI’s Welfare Committee, Mr Sylvester Ezehi.

Speaking after the event, ULMI Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Unuane, commended the participating schools for their discipline and competitive spirit, describing the tournament as a vital platform for nurturing young talents

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He stressed the need for continuity, adding that future leaders of ULMI must remain committed to sustaining the competition for the benefit of coming generations.

Highlighting the organisation’s broader community interventions, ULMI recalled its role in the reconstruction and revitalisation of the Edo State Library in Uromi, including the provision of books, computers and furniture, as well as the payment of staff salaries for over two years to ensure uninterrupted services.

The group, therefore, called on the Edo State Government, through the Office of the Commissioner for Education, to consider absorbing the Uromi Library staff into the state civil service for proper documentation and sustainable salary administration.

ULMI also reaffirmed its support for security initiatives in Uromi, noting that it had, over the past five years, provided logistics and empowerment to local security networks to complement government efforts in curbing insecurity.

The event, which marked the conclusion of ULMI’s major activities for the year, ended on a celebratory note, with community members lauding the organisation’s sustained commitment to youth development, education and community progress.