THE Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commended the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Mr Yusuf Alli, and his team for the progress they have made in sports development in the state.
The Governor gave the commendation yesterday at a reception ceremony in Government House where Alli, a former African long jump record holder and Olympian, presented his commission’s score card.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Osaigbovo Iyoha, Governor Obaseki said he was impressed with the performance of the Edo State Sports Commission and their 32 sports associations boards since they came on board.
He said that the state has a good story to tell as the sports commission announced that they have been able to raise over 5000 young athletes.
Receiving the Sports Commission’s Progress Report, Dr Iyoha said that Alli and his team have done well for being able to raise over 2000 athletes, adding that such a feat is highly commendable.
Dr Iyoha encouraged the sports commission to redouble their efforts in order to make even more progress and achieve more success next year, notng that talents abound in Edo land.
“We must commend Yusuf Alli, the 32 sports associations boards and athletes for surpassing our expectations,” Dr Iyoha said.
“Edo has always been the home of sports; it is the headquarters of sports. I can remember those days when Nigeria won the first FIFA U-17 World Cup, about 15 out of 22 players in the national team were of Edo origin.
“In those days, players were picked from our schools Edokpolor Grammar School, Edo College and the rest, and there was never a free field around on weekends, even on week days, both fields and tracks were busy with youths engagement in sporting activities but it is no longer like that these days.
“You find out that the social vices the society battles with now is because sports went down. And because sport has gone down, vices like cultism and the rest then started coming into our polity.
“It was never a part of our system and that is why His Excellency Governor Obaseki in his wisdom thought it wise and important to bring back our lost glory in sports.
“We want to congratulate Yusuf Alli and his team for their achievement within a short period of time and want you to do more.”
Earlier, Alli, while presenting the progress report, acknowledged the contributions of the First Lady of the state, Mrs Betsy Obaseki, and some Edo-born sports legends who were present at the occasion.
They included Olympian Isaac Ikhuofia, Godwin Obasogie, Charlton Ohizuele and Dr Cruz Ejerigho who made the state and country proud in their time as sportsmen.
In his report, Alli while thanking the governor for the opportunity given him and his team to serve, said that his score card is good and promising, considering the achievement within eight months after the inauguration of the 32 sports associations boards.
Highlighting the commission’s achievement, Alli said that the state athletes participated in 90 national competitions and won 323 medals with about 5,086 talents discovered from the 54 local competitions organised within the period under review, surpassing the 2000 athletes per year target.
He revealed that the 54 grassroots competitions were sponsored by the association boards in collaboration with private individuals and corporate bodies.
Alli singled out Cricket Association Board chairman Uyi Akpata for his performance.
According to the report, Edo Cricket Association has a solid development programme which helped them raise 4,346 athletes within eight months, making them the highest talent hunters.
The Olympian also acknowledged the contributions of Edo gymnastics, kickboxing, badminton, cycling and others who have also done the state proud, even at international levels.
