By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi
Foremost Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome has been inaugurated as the Chairman of the Edo State Weightlifting Association by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
In another major step towards promoting sports in the State, Mr Obaseki inaugurated 31 Sports Associations on Friday, April 28, 2023. The governor, in his address, reiterated the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for corporate involvement in sports promotions and development.
According to the governor, the primary goal of these associations is to manage sports in the State from the grassroots level. He emphasized that the issue of grassroots sports development is a priority for the state, and to achieve this, the government has focused on establishing the necessary structures and processes.
The governor recounted his administration’s achievements in sports and reiterated his commitment to working with various associations in the State to build more sporting infrastructure across the state. He charged the members of the inaugurated associations towards optimal performance in terms of revenue generation, mobilization of young athletes, and winning awards from competitions.
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, also expressed his delight at the government’s renewed interest in sports. He described sports as a real business in the state, no longer limited to the social category, adding that sports is now going to be adding to the GDP of Edo state.
Speaking on the importance of sports development as it relates to tourism, Mr. Obaseki said that sport is a key driver of tourism, and one way the state is trying to diversify its economy is through tourism. He expressed his desire to attract sportspeople and sporting activities to the state.
The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yusuf Ali, also lauded the government’s initiative in inaugurating 31 Sports Associations. He emphasized that government alone cannot form sports, and the commission requires technocrats, people with wisdom, and ideas to help with sports development in the state.
In conclusion, Governor Obaseki’s initiative to establish these associations is a significant step towards achieving grassroots sports development in Edo State. It will provide opportunities for young athletes and create a conducive environment for corporate involvement in sports promotions and development.
The associations inaugurated and their chairpersons are:
Athletics – Barr. Dele Edokpayi
Aquatics – Mr. Clement Sunday Minabowan
Badminton – Mr. Onome Obruthe
Basketball – Mr Michael Gaius-Obaseki
Boxing – Albert Eromosele
Chess – H.E. Mrs Maryann Philip Shaibu
Cricket – Mr Uyi Akpata
Cycling – Mrs Anita Rukyat Ajayi
Dart – Osayi Emmanuel
Deaf Athletics – Rev Testimony E. M. Eriamiatoe
Golf – Mr Andrew Momodu
Gymnastics – Prince Kelvin Erhunwunse
Handball – Chris Oshiafi
Hockey – Barr. Walter Imoedemhe (Ph.D)
Judo – Mrs Loveth Howell
Karate – Sensie Ben Aigbe Daniel
Kick-boxing – Owen Okperigho
Kung-Fu – Mr Courage Osayi
Para Athletics – Ambassador Jacob Ighodaro JP
Para Powerlifting – Osawaru Ogeide-Ihama
Rugby – Comrade Sunny Osayande
Scrabble – Mr. Okuoimose Hanson Eguagie
Shooting – Engr. David Babatunde Olukoga
Squash – Hon. Austin Atakpo
Table Tennis, Deaf & Para – Table Tennis – Pst. Charles Osazuwa
Taekwondo – Esosa Peter Edosomwan
Tennis/Wheel Chair Tennis – Joseph Osawaru and Mr. George Etomi as Patron
Traditional Sports – Mohammed Abubakar
Volleyball/Beach Volleyball – Thomas Aroko
Weightlifting – Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN
Wrestling – Morris Atula.
