… as athletes and officials applaud Edo Govt.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) World Championship Trials “Benin 2023”, A Championship of Consolidation, which was held from Wednesday, July 5th to Friday, July 7th, 2023 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, climaxed with a dinner reception on Friday.
The dinner which took place in the media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, was organized by Barr. Dele Edokpayi, the Edo State Athletics Association Board Chairman, and his team in honor of athletes and officials who came to Benin from far and near to participate in the World Athletics Championship Trials.
In attendance were dignitaries including Olympian Yusuf Alli, the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission; Barr. Dele Edokpayi, the chief host and Chairman Edo State Athletics Association Board; Barr. Orode Moses Oyiki, a board member of Edo State Athletics Association; Rita Mosindi, AFN Secretary General; Olympian Ese Brume, a professional long jumper; Commodore Omatseye Nesiama (Rtd.), AFN board member, Mr. Victor Okorie, AFN board member; Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO) members, National anti-doping agents, among others.
In his opening remarks, Barr. Dele Edokpayi thanked the athletes and officials for honoring the invite. Dele expressed his passion and interest for the younger athletes who participated and didn’t win any laurels; he urged coaches and officials to bring them closer, give them hope and make them great again. He also praised the Yusuf Alli-led sports commission’s administration for sustaining Governor Obaseki’s vision for the Edo State’s Sports Commission.
“In my own token way, myself and my board members, our own token way of saying thank you for the good job you are doing, thank you to the participants, thank you to the people who made the facilities possible, thank you to the Federation people who have been able to put this together, thank you to the Edo State Sports Commission who created the space.
“We have had Chairman here. I have been around for many many years, I have been Chairman of the Association for more than 11 to 20 years, yes in this Stadium. I used to jug and do everything. Most people know me here. But never has it been so organized. The structure was put in place legally, and we put a square peg in a square hole. So why would we not support him,” Dele said.
While appreciating Edo state Government for revamping the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Dele stressed the need to complement Godwin Obaseki’s developmental efforts by taking athletics to the next level and encouraging private investment in the sports industry.
“We ( Edo State) have set the pace in sporting activities. The Governor started by revamping the facilities to make it conducive for all of us. The digital Deputy Governor who is a sports person, who lives and dreams sports, has also been positive to restructure everything about sports in Edo State.
“We are private people, we are not government officials, but as the Chairman of the Edo Athletics Association, I gave my word to the Governor that we are going to take athletics to a different level.
“When we have athletics feats, we have to take athletics feats to a different level by making private investments like it is done outside. There is nothing that is happening in Europe and America that we can not do here. And by the grace of God, we will do it right.
“We want to take sports to what it used to be in Edo State and in Nigeria. It’s an industry and we don’t want our industry to die. Those of us who have passion, that is why we are going to put our money, our energy to make athletics one of the great events in this country.
“Government don’t have all the resources, sport is a private sector driven initiative elsewhere, that is what we want to do. We want to take it away from Government and make, and take it to the next level,” he emphasized.
Dele further noted that there was no recorded incident, accident, or mishap, and did express his certainty that there will be no report of great cheating while the organizing committee awaits detailed reports from the inspectors.
On his part, the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Alli, took out time to recognize and celebrate Ese Brume, a professional long jumper, Africa’s record holder, world championship, and Olympics silver medalist.
According to Yusuf, “In this world we have athletes, and we have podium athletes. You can go down memory lane on records. This lady right here, from 2014, every single championship she has been to, she has made a podium.
“You might have 2 months to the Commonwealth games or two months to the Olympics games, but you will still see her, she may be 7th, she may be 8th. But when it comes to the wide, the nitty gritty, where it matters, she will perform.”
Yusuf Alli appreciated AFN athletes and officials for their participation in ensuring the most successful Championships Trials, and the Chairman Edo State Athletics Board and his team for a well-organized deserved dinner reception.
Yusuf reiterated the Deputy Governor’s message and dream for Edo State Sports Commission’s sporting activities which include drawing up a monthly timetable where every association must have an event, at least one event at the Stadium.
Yusuf also lauded the Edo State Governor for providing adequate and sufficient facilities of international standard at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Sports Commission’s Director of Facilities, Mr. Victor Edokpayi, for ensuring a sustained effective maintenance culture that has kept the Stadium decent, clean, and ready for use at all times.
“The facilities in Edo, are one of the best in this country, we are proud to say it anytime. And for it to be in this shape, it’s not only one person that makes the facility look good. But in Edo State’s Samuel Ogbemudia Sports Complex, it’s one person, Victor,” he noted.
In her remarks, Rita Mosindi, the AFN Secretary General, commended Yusuf Alli for the work at the Stadium.
“During the Festival, I wasn’t opportune to be here, I was somewhere outside with the hockey team. When I came here, I saw the perfection, the neatness, everywhere was sparkling, no doubt, honestly, the Director of Facilities you are awesome. God bless you for this wonderful facility, and for maintaining it.
“We have one in Abuja, and I know how it looks like. I appreciate you so much for the way you have been maintaining this place. Keep it up my brother,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Rita recognized Ese Brume’s mother and esteemed her for raising a humble and great Olympian. She further appreciated and charged the athletes and officials to continue working with team spirit.
Interestingly, speaking on behalf of the athletes, Ese Brume appreciated the AFN officials and organizers of the events for putting up a great Championship Trials, as well as for their support to the athletes.
“I will like to thank the organizers of this International Trials. This is one of the best International Trials I have seen.
“In terms of the facilities, they’re great, and the turn-up was awesome. I would say this is home for us,” Ese remarked.
In amazement the mother of Ese Brume, Mrs. Adaka Sally, briefly narrated the making of Olympian Ese Brume: “All I just have to say; it is God, it is not by my power, and it is her own personal hard work. And myself and my husband, we were so supportive, and even the Government of Delta too was so supportive.
“And we have to give God the glory because it is not by her power, it is by the grace of God and hard work on her own part too and self-discipline.
“I was an athlete before,” Ese Brume’s joyful mother revealed.
