The Maureen Idehen-Ovabor Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots sports and youth development, with its founder, Mrs Maureen Idehen-Ovabor, declaring that the recently concluded second edition of the Bosede Idehen 5-A-Side Football Tournament is only the beginning of a broader initiative to support young people and help them pursue their dreams.
Titansloaded reports that the tournament, organised by Bosede Idehen International Academy, provided young footballers with an opportunity to compete, develop teamwork, demonstrate discipline and showcase their talents in a competitive environment.
The competition has also strengthened the growing emphasis on grassroots football as a platform for discovering and encouraging young talents.
Speaking with journalists after the tournament, Mrs Idehen-Ovabor said she was encouraged by the passion displayed by the young players and expressed her readiness to continue supporting the younger generation.
According to her, young people need encouragement and opportunities to develop their abilities, adding that the foundation would continue to explore ways of supporting those who are determined to pursue their dreams.
She, however, stressed that sports must go hand in hand with education.
“Education can never be ruled out of our project because I believe education should and must be paramount. It is essential, and we must do the needful to make sure all children have equal education,” she said.
Mrs Idehen-Ovabor explained that while some young people may have exceptional sporting abilities, education remains critical to their overall development and future success.
She described the football tournament as an avenue for bringing young people together with a common purpose, noting that the desire to become a champion could serve as motivation for participants to work harder and remain committed to their goals.
She encouraged the young players to start from wherever they find themselves, develop their abilities gradually and remain focused on their dreams.
“Everybody wants to be a champion. That is why I encourage them to start in their own little way, and I will always motivate them,” she said.
The founder further disclosed that more initiatives are being planned under the Maureen Idehen-Ovabor Foundation, assuring that the football tournament represents only one aspect of a wider vision.
The foundation is built around the principles of Educate, Empower and Elevate, with its proposed areas of intervention extending beyond sports to education, skills development, humanitarian support and empowerment. Recent reports on the foundation indicate plans to support children requiring educational assistance while also creating opportunities for vulnerable people to acquire practical skills and become more self-reliant.
Mrs Idehen-Ovabor has consistently placed education at the centre of her work. As Director and Proprietress of Springfield Private School and Bosede Idehen International Academy, she has championed an educational approach that combines the Nigerian and American curricula to prepare learners for both local and international opportunities.
Her commitment to sports development is also not new. During the 50th anniversary celebration of Springfield Private School and Bosede Idehen International Academy in 2025, Mrs Idehen-Ovabor expressed delight at seeing students showcase their sporting abilities, describing such opportunities as a source of hope for their future.
The recently concluded 5-A-Side tournament further demonstrated her belief that sports can contribute significantly to youth development by promoting teamwork, discipline, confidence, healthy competition and friendship.
Beyond sports, the foundation’s broader humanitarian vision includes supporting vulnerable groups and creating opportunities for individuals who may otherwise struggle to access education, skills and other essential support.
The initiative is also closely connected to Mrs Idehen-Ovabor’s family legacy. She is the daughter of the late Madam Bosede Idehen, whose educational legacy continues through Springfield Private School and Bosede Idehen International Academy.
Through the foundation, Mrs Idehen-Ovabor is seeking to extend that legacy beyond the classroom by creating opportunities for more children, young people and vulnerable members of society.
She said she was hopeful that with God’s help and greater resources, she would be able to touch more lives through the foundation.
The conclusion of the second edition of the Bosede Idehen 5-A-Side Football Tournament has therefore provided more than a sporting platform. It has become part of an emerging vision that combines sports, education, character development and empowerment.
For the young footballers, the tournament offered an opportunity to compete and dream. For the Maureen Idehen-Ovabor Foundation, it represents another step towards identifying talent and creating platforms through which young people can develop their potential.
As the foundation prepares for more initiatives, MrMrsdehen-Ovabor’s message remains clear: young people should be encouraged to dream, but their dreams must be supported by education, discipline, opportunity and the right values.
And with her declaration that “this is just the beginning,” the Maureen Idehen-Ovabor Foundation is signalling a broader commitment to grassroots sports and youth development in the years ahead.
