By joshua 
Senator Imasuen Flags Off Benin Unity Cup Football Tournament
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Neda Imasuen on Friday officially flagged off the Benin Unity Cup Football Tournament.
The tournament set up to groom young football talents from the seven local government areas that made up Edo South Senatorial District of the state, namely; Oredo, Ovia South-West, Egor, Ovia North-East, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha, and Uhunmwode will kick off on November 20 and climax on December 20, 2025.
The Benin City Unity Cup was born during the Benin Unity Summit, where Senator Imasuen donated three trophies for the seven local government areas in Edo South, during a meeting of well-meaning individuals of the Senatorial district.
The draw was conducted by the Edo State Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo, saw Ovia North-East, Ikpoba-Okah, Egor and Uhumwomde placed in group A, while Oredo One, Ovia South-West, Orhionmwon and Oredo Two were placed in group B.
The winner will go home with N1 Million, while the second-placed team will cart away with the sum of N700,000, the third place will go home with N500,000, and the fourth position will go home with N300,000 respectively
In brief remarks, Senator Neda Imasuen who initiated the football tournament explained that his reason for initiating it is not because of his current position, but because it’s a move to help the state and country’s football revival drive.
According to him, “This is a farm for football talents, and we will ensure that this tournament has the presence of international scouts on the ground to help discover talents. This may have started late, but it will be a great thing.This is not because I’m a senator, but now in a good place to do something advantageous to our youths, not just for political gains.”
Speaking at the tournament unveiling ceremony at Press Unit Conference Hall of the Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia Stadium, Hon. Idehen Ebomwonyi said, “I must commend Senator Neda Imasuen for this initiative and by God’s grace, it will be a yearly event. Let’s be reminded that football is a salient tool to expose hidden talents, foster unity and enrich our culture.
The chairman of the Edo Football Association, Fred Newton, commended the sponsor, Senator Neda Imasuen, for the groundbreaking tournament while assuring that the tournament will also witness scouts from abroad.
He stated that, it is first of its kind in Edo South Senatorial District of the state and it is a tournament amongst seven local governments in Edo South and will stay beyond even when the Senator is out of office
The Coordinator, Benin Unity Cup Football Tournament, Hon. Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP in his remarks said, we gather not just to unveil a football tournament, but to celebrate unity, talent, and opportunity.
According to him, “the 2025 Benin Unity Cup—Powered by Senator Neda Imasuen is more than a game, it is a platform to engage our youths, foster peace across our communities, and showcase the boundless potential that we have within Edo South. He stated.
He urged the players to compete with passion, play fairly, and remember that the greatest victory is unity as to make the tournament a lasting legacy for Benin, Edo South, Edo State and for Nigeria.
In his goodwill message, the Director General, (DG), National Institute of Sports (NIS), Hon. Philip Shaibu said the Senator Neda Imasuen is initiating a giant program he will live to appreciate for the rest of his life. He, however, assured that the NIS will partner with the tournament to discover talents, trained in the facilities and nurture them to stardom.
The tournament grand finale is scheduled to take place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and will feature top government functionaries and football stakeholders, who will see group matches and stages played at the Irhirhi Sports Ground and University of Benin Sports Centre.