Two non-governmental organisations have honoured the outstanding achievement of a secondary school hockey team in Benin City, providing both financial rewards and equipment to bolster the sport's development.
Foundations Honour Silver Medalists
The Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation, in collaboration with the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, presented cash gifts to the hockey team of St. Maria Goretti Girls' Grammar School in Benin City. The event, held on December 18, 2025, at the school's own hockey ground, recognised the team's impressive feat of securing a silver medal for Edo State at the National Youth Games in Asaba in July 2025.
A Legacy of Hockey Excellence
The celebration highlighted the school's unique position in Nigerian sports. St. Maria Goretti Girls' Grammar School is notably the only secondary school in the country with a dedicated hockey Astro turf pitch. Its rich tradition in the sport dates back to the early 1970s when the institution was under the administration of the Catholic mission in Benin City.
High-profile figures from the Edo State sports community attended the ceremony. Executive Directors of the Edo State Sports Commission, Dr. Celestina Aletor and Sabina Chikere, were present. Dr. Aletor also represented the school's Old Girls' Association.
Encouragement from Role Models
Sabina Chikere motivated the students to maintain their dedication to both academic excellence and athletic prowess. She pointed to Dr. Celestina Aletor as a prime example of what they could achieve. "She is not just a former hockey player who represented the school," Chikere stated, "but was so good at playing the game at the Federal level, where she earned a university scholarship."
Dr. Aletor, in her remarks, highlighted the ongoing support from the alumni. She revealed that, courtesy of the Old Girls' Association, the school possesses a top-tier, well-equipped IT laboratory that is unmatched in Nigeria.
Rewards for Past and Present Players
The key moment of the event was the presentation of cash gifts. The NGOs rewarded 14 former students of the hockey team who graduated in July 2025, alongside 22 current students who are keeping the team's legacy alive.
The school's talent identification programme is already bearing fruit, with some team members currently in junior secondary school. To ensure the game's continued growth, the two NGOs have arranged for a donation of 25 pre-loved hockey sticks to be delivered to the team.
The school's principal, Mrs. Abieyuwa Abu-Osagie, along with staff members Mr. Edosa Osaigbovo, Mr. Earnest Iyare, and hockey coach Sylvester Aigbo, received the visitors and expressed gratitude for the support aimed at taking school hockey to the next level.
