The Edo state Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has restated his administration’s commitment to sports development in Edo state, reassuring the state Sports Commission of his support.
The Governor gave the assurance on Monday,March 24,2025 when he received the unity torch of the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Government House,Benin.
Represented by his Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa at the colourful ceremony,Governor Okpebholo, reaffirmed his commitment to sports development, saying that Sports occupy special place in his administration’s development programme.
“Our government has laid so much emphasis on sports development in Edo State, and by the grace of God, we will give you all the support to win this competition,” Governor Okpebholo stated while also assuring Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele led Edo state Sports Commission.
The Governor commended the Executive Chairman,Edo state Sports Commission Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele and his board for their efforts this far,noting that the Niger Delta Sports Festival aligns with the administration’s vision to nurture talents from the grassroots.
” I want to sincerely appreciate the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission Hon Amadin Enabulele,his board; the Permanent Secretary and all of you in the Edo state Sports Commission for all you have been doing since we came on board. You people,no doubt have brought new energy to the Sports Commission and I urge you to keep the momentum. Let me also commend the sponsors and organizers of the Niger Delta Sports Festival,the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)and Dunamis for the noble initiative and it is my wish that we keep the partnership for the overall good of Edo and our region.”
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele who earlier received the Niger Delta Sports Festival torch of unity at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium on its arrival from Bayelsa state,said that Edo is ready to compete and win in Uyo,AkwA Ibom state where the maiden regional sports fiesta will be staged.
Speaking further at the torch handover ceremony at Government House, Enabulele highlighted the comprehensive process of preparation which began with local government trials.
“We started by going to the Local Governments to conduct trials. Those who qualified will converge at the state level starting tomorrow, Tuesday, for the finals,” he said. The selected athletes will represent Edo in Uyo, aligning with the state’s broader strategy to excel at both the Niger Delta Sports Festival and the upcoming National Sports Festival.
“We are not just going to Uyo to compete; we are going to win,” Enabulele declared, emphasizing the state’s ambition ahead of the fiesta scheduled for April 1 to April 8, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
“This is about catching them young;grooming our own athletes, and taking them to the state, national, and international levels,” he added.
“This competition is coming at the right time”, he noted, saying that it provides the platform and opportunity to test the young athletes discovered during the local government trials and prepare same for the bigger festival.
“Edo’s participation in the Niger Delta Sports Festival is part of a effort to foster unity, develop talents, and stimulate economic activity in the region . Having been done with local government trials and that at the state level nearing completion and finals set to begin, Edo’s athletes are ready to do exploit “. He emphasized.
