Benin – Edo State Government on Saturday restated its resolve to continue to invest in sports development in order to keep the youths productively engaged.

The state Commissioner for Sports, Youths and Social Mobilisation, Presley Ediagbonya, gave the assurance at this year’s Olympic Day Celebrations staged in Benin city.

Ediagbonya said investment in sports would not only stimulate sporting activities but could challenge youth restiveness in the state.

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He said investments could also motivate athletes from the state to seek to retain their leading position as the number one sporting state in the country.

Ediagbonya said the Olympic Day Celebration also offered opportunities for people to actively participate in sports in order to stay healthy.

“It will also afford us the opportunity of breaking new grounds in sporting activities, make new friends as well as ease tensions within and among us,” the commander said.

The commissioner said the event had been decentralised across the state to encourage many people to participate.

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In a speech, Brig.-Gen. Benbella Raji, Commander, 4th Brigade, Benin, whose troops took part in the event, then, lauded the organisers for involving members of the military in the exercise.

He added that the it had afforded all the opportunity of improving on their physical and mental alertness.

A speech of the President, International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, read by a representative of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Samuel Babatoba, reminded the people that sports are not just for watching but designed to encourage active participation of all.

The IOC president said the celebration was for everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability.

The military and Para-military personnel, as well as individuals and some organisations participated in the celebration.