Edo State Government has taken a positive step towards the implementation of the law establishing the Edo State Sports Commission in the 18 Local Government Council Areas. Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, said it will encourage the development of sports at the grassroots. Shaibu, therefore directed the concerned stakeholders to spring into action.
The Edo State sports-loving Deputy Governor, at a meeting with members of the State Sports Commission led by the chairman Yusuf Alli, the 18 Local Government Councils’ Laison Officers, and Heads of Local Government Administration, (HOLGAS) emphasised the need for urgent implementation of the state sports program in pursuit of the set target as directed by the state government for the sports commission to produce 10,000 athletes within a space of five years.
The Deputy Governor charged the State Sports Commission and the Heads of Administration of the 18 Local Government Councils to ensure the immediate establishment of the Sports Committee in each local government area.
According to the Deputy Governor, “The state Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, has mandated the Edo State Sports Commission to produce 10,000 athletes, cutting across all sports in the 37 sports in Edo within the next five years. He however clarified that Edo State would prioritise 17 sports.
Shaibu observed that the objective is realisable and that the task is doable. “This is doable, looking at the size and number of various games we have in Edo State. We have about 37 sports, but we are prioritising 17. It does not mean we are not going to be participating in the rest, but our attention will be focused more on the 17 major sports in which we can distinguish ourselves as the sports center of excellence and Heartbeat of Nigeria”.
“We want to ensure that Edo remains the number one in all the 17 major sports and in achieving this, it requires the collaboration of the grassroots and leadership of the Local Government Councils.”
“The reason being that you cannot talk about the grassroots sports development without the participation of the leadership of Local Governments who are closer to the grassroots people”.
“So, to achieve the target of discovering and harnessing the 10,000 athletes in Edo State who will be the feeder of other states in Nigeria requires joint efforts and collaboration”. He stressed.
“Sport has become a veritable tool in generating revenue that increases a nation’s GDP, unlike a former Governor of Edo State, who believes that it is a waste of resources investing in sports.
We are making all efforts to ensure the private sector is encouraged to take over sports development in Edo State”, Shaibu added.
In his remark, the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yusuf Ali, noted that the Commission recently received commendations from FIFA’s representatives who were on an inspection tour of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. He pointed out that the solid infrastructure on the ground at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium makes CAF and FIFA consider Benin for their events.
Olympian, Yusuf Alli, promised that the Commission is ready to collaborate with the leadership of Local Government Councils to achieve the State Government’s set goal.
According to the Sports Commission boss, the collaboration will include setting up Sports Committees in the 18 Council Areas of the state made up of five members; two members who shall be appointed by the leadership of the Local Government Councils; a member to represent the interest of the Local Government Education Authority, a member from the private sector, to represent the interest of companies operating in the council area and a member nominated by the Sports Commission who shall serve as the Secretary.
To underscore the urgency and importance government attaches to it, the various councils were given Tuesday, April 11, 2023, as the deadline to submit names of their nominees for the composition of the sports committee.
“This will make our job of liaising with the grassroots very easy”, the Chairman added.
The Local Government Council Liaison Officers, in their response, affirmed their unwavering support for the set target and collaboration with Edo Sports Commission.
The Edo State Sports Commission Law was enacted on 18th of August, 2021and the Sports Commission was inaugurated on March 11, 2022, with Olympian Yusuf Alli as Executive Chairman.
Article 20 of the law makes provisions for the establishment of a Local Government Sports Committee. The Local Government Sports Committee is made up of five members. The secretary must be a staff of the state sports commission.
