Ibhawoh Foundation, CSED Reward St. Maria Goretti Girls’ Hockey Team for National Youth Games Success
The Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation, in partnership with the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, has rewarded the hockey players of St. Maria Goretti Girls’ Grammar School, Benin City, with cash gifts following their outstanding performance at the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
The school’s hockey team secured a silver medal for Edo State at the Games held in July 2025, reinforcing St. Maria Goretti Girls’ Grammar School’s long-standing reputation as a leading hub for hockey development at the secondary school level.
The presentation ceremony, which took place at the school’s hockey ground, attracted key stakeholders in sports and education. Among those in attendance were the Executive Director of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, and Dr Celestina Aletor, who represented the school’s Old Girls’ Association. School officials present included the Principal of the Senior School, Mrs Abieyuwa Abu-Osagie, as well as Edosa Osaigbovo, Earnest Iyare, and the school’s hockey coach, Sylvester Aigbo.
St. Maria Goretti Girls’ Grammar School is unique in Nigeria as the only secondary school with a hockey Astro Turf pitch. The school’s rich hockey tradition dates back to the early 1970s, during its administration by the Catholic Mission in Benin City.
Addressing the students, Mrs Chikere encouraged them to remain committed to both their academic pursuits and sporting careers, noting that excellence in sports can create pathways to broader opportunities. She cited Dr Aletor as a shining example, recalling that the former school hockey player earned a Federal Government university scholarship due to her exceptional performance on the field.
Mrs Chikere also highlighted Dr Aletor’s contributions as a former principal of the school and her continued commitment to advancing the goals of the Old Girls’ Association.
In her remarks, Dr Aletor outlined several developmental interventions undertaken by the association to enhance students’ learning and life skills. These include the establishment of a state-of-the-art ICT laboratory, the acquisition of over 30 sewing machines and head-dressing equipment, and a fully equipped Home Economics laboratory. She explained that these initiatives are designed to provide students with vocational and life skills while in school or immediately after completing their WAEC or NECO examinations. She also disclosed that the association recently donated a brand-new school bus to support the school’s operations.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of cash gifts to 14 former hockey players who graduated in July 2025 and 22 current students who are members of the school’s hockey team. Some of the current players are junior secondary school students identified through the school’s talent development programme.
To further strengthen the team, the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation and CSED Initiative announced plans to donate 25 pre-loved hockey sticks to the school. The organisations also revealed plans to explore opportunities for the players to participate in the “Sporting Coders” programme, an initiative that integrates sports participation with coding and digital skills training.
The Sporting Coders programme was successfully piloted in April 2024 in Bayelsa State by the netball team of Tare Pet School, where 12 out of 21 participating students subsequently secured admission into universities across Nigeria.
The organisers emphasised that the initiative demonstrates how Nigerian secondary school students can successfully balance academics and sports when provided with the right support from parents, school authorities, and coaches.
