Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has made a pledge of N3 million (three Million Naira) to the Edo State Baptist Conference to support her effort for organizing successfully Edo Baptist Conference Sports Festival.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who made the pledge at the closing and Awards Ceremony of Edo Baptist Conference Sports Festival at the Baptist High School on Thursday, described the gesture by the Church organization as a positive initiative.
The Sports-loving Governor said if religious organizations such as the Baptist Church can nurture such laudable initiative and invest in sports, then Edo State would be better for it.
“I appreciate the effort by the church community. I also appreciate the young sports men and women. My administration is seriously committed to the discovery and development of the young ones like these.”
he said the need to develop sports from the grassroots informed the setting up of Edo State Football Development Programme headed by coach Amodu Shuaibu, adding that the young ones have a lot of potentials in sports which needs to be harnessed such that they can get to the peak of their career.
The President of Edo State Baptist Conference, Rev. Dr. Frank Ezele explained that the religious organization comprising about 200 Baptist Churches all over the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State in its quest to re-awaken grassroots sports and youth development in Edo State, would partner with the Edo State Government, the local government councils and corporate bodies in the development of sports.
“In our contributions to the developmental stride in Edo State, the Edo State Baptist Conference organized a sports festival in 2014. This featured field events like football, volleyball, Basket ball, Handball, Table Tennis, Lawn-tennis and Athletics.
He stressed the need to identify youths with potentials who want to develop themselves using sports as a means of livelihood by positively engaging themselves.
The cleric said sports is a unifying force as it abhors tribalism and therefore the church will continue to encourage grassroots sports.
He added that the church also organized the sports festival to show good examples to people thus eradicate the do-or-die attitude associated with games.
Rev. (Dr.) Ezele appealed for partnership and sponsorship by sports-loving individuals to the laudable sports project, saying that sports can be developed to international standards.
He lauded the Edo Baptist Conference Sports Committee led by Brother Moses Iroro for the good organization of the games which culminated in the huge success o f the fiesta.
Prizes and awards were presented to prospective winners in football, athletics, and tennis.
The dignitaries that attended the grand finale included the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Dr. Pius Odudbu, the former Chairman of Nigeria Football League, Chief Oyuki Jackson Obaseki, Col. Paul Osa Ogbebor (Rtd), Elder Tes Sorae, Mr. Martins Edigin who represented Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Dr. Effionayi Iyayi, Mr. Uyigue and the Chairman of Edo Baptist Sports Festival Committee, Mr. Moses Iroro amongst others.