All is now set for the commencement of the 3rd Edo Sports Festival as the Games’ unity torch lit up by Governor Goodwin Obaseki on Wednesday,January 15 will be completing the tour of the state today in Oredo Local Government Secretariat before noon today.
According to the Programme of the organising committee headed by the state’s Sports Commission chairman, Barr Dudu Orumen ,the torch bearers who have been touring the state,will be at Egor Local Government Secretariat in Oselu by 10 am on their return from Ovia North East and southwest LGAs and from there move to Oredo,the host Local Government Council to conclude the state wide tour and subsequently herald the commencement of the Edo games at the University of Benin Sports Complex by 2:00 PM.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVERSports confirm that the state sports festival is scheduled to begin today with an opening ceremony whereby the chief organiser,Governor Godwin Obaseki is expected to declare the games started.
The state deputy Governor Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, civil Commissioners,Sports Commission chairman Dudu Orumen, Directors of sports, chairmen of the eighteen local government councils of the state and athletes representing them are all expected to grace the occasion.
According to the programme of events, actions will fully begin on Tuesday at designated centers including, Emotan College, Benin Golf Club in GRA,Etete Indoor Hall,Uniben sports complex and the main venue Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
According to the Sports Commission chairman, the state sports festival is being organised to harness budding talents and to fully put to test, sports facilities and as well to prepare the ground for the 2020 National Sports Festival to be staged in Benin,between March 22 and April 4th,2020.
The last Edo state sports festival held in 2001 which pave the way for the hosting of the National Sports Festival in the following year in Benin after the maiden one in 1981.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has continued to display his administration ‘s determination to truly reposition sports in the state by matching words with actions in that regard as his magic wands is evident in the reconstruction of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium with a state of the art facilities ready for the hosting of the rest 35 states including FCT in the big games in March this year.
