… as Sports Commission briefs journalits on new direction for sports associations.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday inaugurated a 12-member organizing committee for the successful hosting of Edo State Secondary Schools Games, as part of sports development strategy of the State Government aimed at enhancing grassroots sports.
The State Government had earlier set up an inter-agency committee to look into the inclusion of sports in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools in the State. The committee’s report has since been approved by the State Government.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Shaibu noted that research has shown that without competitions, athletes cannot achieve their desired progress or improve their standards.
According to him, this has brought to the fore, the need for the institution of Edo State Secondary School Games, as a way of creating a platform for athletes to display their sporting skills.
“The State Government places so much emphasis on grassroots sports development, hence His Excellency, Mr. Governor gave the Sports Commission a target of discovering 10,000 athletes in the next five years and harnessing same. This translates to at least, discovery of 2,000 athletes in one year”.
“The Secondary Schools Games is one golden opportunity for the Sports Commission to meet up with the target and possibly surpass it.
“It is expected that the collaboration of the Ministry of Education, the Local Government Sports Committees and the State Sports Commission will take sports to the desired level.
“Edo State Government recognizes the important role of sports in the improvement and maintenance of good health, enrichment of social relations and the development of critical thinking, as well as facilitation of learning.
“Sports, therefore, contribute to the all-round development of a person. To this end, the State Government is actively committed to providing a holistic education that aims at transforming the students capacity to contribute to the socio-economic development of the State,” Shaibu added.
The Chairman and Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yussuf Alli and Mrs. Sabina Chikere, respectively, in their separate remarks, described the development as a milestone towards successful grassroots sports development in Edo State.
The committee has the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Mr Yussuf Alli, as Chairman and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Permanent Secretary, Edo Sports Commission, as Secretary while Hon. Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, and Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs,
Barr. Andrew Emwanta, are members.
Other members of the committee include the Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Dr. Osa Oviawe, Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe, Co-Chairperson,Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Dankwara Mohammed, Executive Chairman Subeb, Ozavize Salami; Board secretary, state secondary education board, Osawe Osagie, Executive Director, Sports Facilities Development and Maintenance, Edo State Sports Commission, Osayaba Osarenren.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission has restated that the commission is determined to reposition sports in the State and set a high template for other States to emulate.
The Edo sports commission boss reaffirmed his commission’s determination while speaking during a press briefing held today in Government House, Benin.
Alli revealed that the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, will on Thursday, April 27, constitute sports committees for the efficient and smooth operations of various sports associations in the State.
The Sports Commission Chairman, restated that Edo state government is committed to changing the narratives in the sports sector.
Recall that in December 2021, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki approved the dissolution of 36 Sports Associations in a bid to re-organize the state’s sports sector.
Yussuf Alli, during the briefing, said the commission has completed neccessary modalities for the inauguration of the new sports committees on Thursday.
According to him, the associations will be charged with the responsibility of running the various sports in Edo State efficiently.
“Mr Governor will give them a full brief of what is expected of them after inauguration on Thursday, ” Alli said.
