Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has restated his commitment to revivifying the state’s sport sector and ensuring it led country in sports.
He made this disclosure as he received Executives and Members of the Edo State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), led by the Chairman Ahmed Aigbona, who paid the Governor a courtesy visit to the government house in Benin City the Edo State Capital.
“We want to make sure we regain our place of pride and restore our legacy in the nation’s sports as we are known as the leading state in sports. In sports, we are leaders, and we will do everything to ensure we retrace our steps and recover our position and pride in sports”.
He continued that his administration had organised a sports workshop, which was attended by great sports men and women across the nation, including sports writers to move the state back to a position of authority in sports.
On measures to be implemented, he said that his administration would refurbish part of Ogbemudia Stadium, resuscitate some major sports like athletics and football, and ensure that they are managed by professionals to yield the desired result.
He added that they would also encourage schools to detect sporty children early enough to train them, noting that his administration would work hard to strengthen government owned media houses and ensure the right incentives and motivation were put in place to enable workers become more productive.
The state’s club, Bendel Insurance Football Club, would also be buoyed with support to perform better in the league.
Meanwhile, Aigbona commended the governor for the laudable steps taken so far to reposition the state and make it the economic hub in the country, while also hailing the governor’s commitment to promoting sports in the state.
“We commend you for your commitment to developing sports in Edo State and your assurance to faithfully implement the outcome of the sports workshop,” he said.
Aigbona drew the governor’s attention to SWAN members in government owned media houses, including Observer and Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), who had been casual workers for many years, appealing to him to give them employment.
He also revealed that SWAN was working to establish its own radio station in the state to create employment, while calling on the governor to appoint it’s well-travelled in his cabinet to contribute their quota to the development of the state.
