BENIN CITY – Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu yesterday inaugurated 10 sub-committees towards actualizing the 20th Edo 2020 National Sports Festival. .
Addressing members of the inaugurated sports sub-committees, Comrade Shaibu who doubles as Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), stated, “Exactly 50 days ago, His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki inaugurated the Local organising committee (LOC) of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), Edo 2020.”
Speaking on the constitution of the sub-committees in Benin, Shaibu stated that they were people who had distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of human endeavor.
He said primarily, the inaugurated members were indigenes of the state, adding that the state at this point in time needed their hard work, commitment and dedication in organizing and ensuring the success of the festival.
According to him, the state has about six months to prepare ahead of time, saying that the objective for hosting the games, aside from seting a template for clean sporting fiesta for other states to follow, was to use the games as “catalyst for engaging youths in worthwhile ventures to keep them busy during the day and tired at night to be involved in crimes.
“To fast track the development of our sports infrastructure; boost the micro economy of the state to position Edo State as a business destination in Nigeria, ” he said.
Aside from the previously inaugurated marketing sub-committee, those inaugurated yesterday included the Medical Committee led by its Chairman, Professor Darlington Obaseki, Chief Medical Director (CMD) University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Accommodation Committee led by Osazee Osemwengie-Ero, Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs while Mrs. Edugie Agbonlahor, Managing Director, Edo City Transport Service Limited (ECTS) heads the transport sub-committee. The Security Committee is chaired by Edo State Commissioner of Police, (CP) Mohammed Danmallam.
Other sub-committees include Finance, Ceremonial and protocol, Publicity and communication, Feeding, Games village management, Team Edo participation and Venue and Facility sub-committee.
Speaking on the sideline of inauguration, Chairman, Edo State Cricket Association, Mr. Uyi Akpata said the inauguration was a significant milestone for Edo State anchored on the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In line with the Deputy Governor’s views, he said we should look beyond a one week fiesta, adding that a firm platform was being established for the state to contribute to the country through the engagement of youths which in turn builds a solid and sustainable infrastructure.
He stated that engaging the youths through their talents would bring back the glorious days of sports in Edo and rekindle the old Bendel State spirit as we used to say, ‘Up Bendel’ which is what sports is all about.
As Chairman, Edo State Crickets Association, he said that in the last three years, his association has grown haven started an age group competition from six years old. Some of the plans on investment have began to manifest as, “In the last youth games our boys/girls won four gold medals for the state which was the first time.. It shows that once we get the fundamentals right we can be hugely successful. This can be replicated across board in other sports here.”
