EKPOMA (CONVERSEER) — Over half a century after their mother led the netball team of RMC School Uhiele, the trustees of the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation have honoured her legacy by hosting a transformative netball training programme for Physical Education (P.E.) teachers across Esanland.
In collaboration with the Community Sports and Educational Development (CSED) Initiative, the Foundation organised a two-day basic netball training session at Ujoelen Grammar School, Ekpoma, on May 13 and 14.
The training forms part of the ambitious “Project 2027” initiative, which seeks to introduce netball to one million Nigerian school children as a tool for education, empowerment, and social change.
A total of 26 participants — drawn from schools across the five local government areas of Esanland, plus Holy Trinity Grammar School in Sabongida Ora (Owan-West), and two University of Benin students from the IDP camp in Uhogua — took part in the training. They were trained and certified by Netball Africa-accredited coaches Edema Fuludu and Edward Fuludu, using a manual developed by renowned netball ambassador Mary Waya.
The training covered both theoretical and practical components of the sport, including player positioning, rules of the court, warm-up routines, cool-down techniques, and even how to mark the court for matches. Coaches also participated in a demonstration game that brought the teachings to life.
One of the standout elements of the programme was its focus on safeguarding. Participants were taught their duty of care in creating safe environments for students — free from emotional, physical, sexual, or financial abuse — both in the classroom and on the playing field. The interactive sessions on athlete safety were among the most well-received aspects of the training.
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At the close of the event, all participants received certificates of attendance and free netball starter kits, which included two netball rims, two balls, a pack of whistles, and two sets of training bibs. These resources are to help teachers launch netball programmes in their respective schools.
In a cultural nod to the heritage of Esanland, the final day of the training concluded with a meal of pounded yam and ogbono soup — a fitting end to a programme steeped in both modern impact and traditional respect.
Speaking to journalists, the President of the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation expressed a commitment to further exploring how sports and education can serve as pillars for human capacity development in Esanland.
With similar netball training events already held in Edo South and Central senatorial districts, attention now turns to Edo North — the only zone yet to host such an event.
Organisers hope that influential figures and community leaders from towns such as Auchi, Afuze, Igarra, or Iyamho will partner with the Ibhawoh Foundation and CSED Initiative to extend this empowering initiative, particularly for the benefit of the girl-child.
“This is more than a game,” one of the newly certified teachers remarked. “It’s a movement for change.”
