…as Sports Commission briefs journalists on new directions for sports associations.
Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, Tuesday inaugurated a 12-member organizing committee for the successful hosting of the Edo State Secondary Schools Games, as part of the 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, 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, Governor Obaseki gave the Sports Commission a target of discovering 10,000 athletes in the next five years. This translates to at least, 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 student’s capacity to contribute to the socio-economic development of the State,” Shaibu added.
The Chairman and Permanent Secretary, of Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yussuf Alli and Mrs. Sabina Chikere, in their separate remarks, described the development as a milestone towards successful grassroots sports development in Edo State.
Meanwhile, Edo State Sports Commission is determined to reposition sports in the State and set a high template for other States to emulate in growing their sports.
To this end, the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, will on Thursday, April 27, constitute committees for the smooth operation of various sports associations in the State.
The Sports Commission Chairman, Mallam Yussuf Alli at a press briefing held Tuesday at the Government House, restated the state’s government plans to give sports facelifts in the state.
Recall that in December 20221, 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 the necessary modalities for the inauguration of the new sports committees Thursday this week.
According to him, the associations will be charged with the responsibility of running the various sports in Edo State. “Mr Governor will give them a full brief of what is expected of them after the inauguration on Thursday.”
Photos: Egbobawaye Imuegbe