The Executive Governor of Edo state Mr Godwin Obaseki has commended the chairman, Edo state Sports Commission Olympian Yusuf Alli and his team for the tremendous progress they have made in the pursuit of the goals set towards making Edo great again in sports development.
The Governor gave the commendation on Tuesday, December 12, at a reception ceremony in Government House where the state sports commission boss presented his commission’s score card.
Represented by his chief of staff Hon (DR) Osaigbovo Iyoha, Governor Obaseki said that 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 good story to tell as the sports commission announced that they have been able to raise over 5000 athletes which is far above 2000 target.
Receiving the Sports Commission’s Progress Report, Hon Iyoha said that Olympian Yusuf Alli and his team have done well for being able to raise over 2000 athletes, adding that such a feat is highly commendable.
Hon Osaigbovo Iyoha encouraged the sports commission to redoubtable their efforts in order for them to present richer score card next year, noting that talents abound in Edo land.
” We must commend Yusuf Alli, the thirty-two Sports Associations Boards and athletes for surpassing our expectations.”
“Edo has always been the home of sports;it is the headquarters of sports. I can remember those days when Nigeria won the first under 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,there were 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 becaus 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.” He said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Edo state Sports Commission Olympian Yusuf 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 include Olympian Isaac Ikhuofia, Godwin Obasogie, Charlton Ohizuele and Dr Cruz Ejerigho who made the state and country proud in their time as sports men. He believes that the state still needs their contributions in taking sports to the next level.
In his report, Olympian Yusuf 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 their 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 5086 talents discovered from the 54 local competitions (Grassroots)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 awesome 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.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Edo Gymnastics, kickboxing, Badminton, Cycling and others who have also done the state proud, even at international levels.
