In a bid to foster the growth of sports and nurture young talents, the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his government’s unwavering dedication to developing aspiring athletes into future world record holders.
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The governor made this declaration during a gracious reception of three former Nigerian athletes and Olympians at the Government House in Benin City.
The three revered Olympians, Dr. Godwin Obasogie (Hurdles, 100m), Dr. Bruce I. Ijirigho (100m), and Charlton Ehizuelen (Long jump) were accompanied by Yusuf Ali, the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, himself a former world champion.
Speaking about the state’s sports development policy, Governor Obaseki emphasized the importance of discovering young talents through the school sports program.
This approach seeks to create ample opportunities for the youth of Edo State to nurture their abilities and ascend to stardom in the sporting world.
Praising the achievements of the three distinguished Olympians during their sporting careers, Governor Obaseki expressed the state government’s deep appreciation for their presence in Edo State.
He further emphasized the desire to leverage their heroic accomplishments to bolster the state’s sports development initiatives.
“We are growing a new generation of young athletes who will be like you, as our policy is based on catching them young.
We would like to use the opportunity of having you in our State to let the new generation know what you have achieved in the past so that your stories inspire and motivate them,” Governor Obaseki stated passionately.
He emphasized the importance of having alternative role models for the youth and highlighted the Olympians as true heroes worth emulating.
Governor Obaseki also revealed the state’s plan to bestow patronage upon some of the sports associations as a gesture of recognition and honor for the distinguished Olympians.
During the meeting, the governor also expressed his support for two significant proposals put forward by the Olympians.
The first proposal seeks to hold a class of 1971 athletes team reunion in December this year, while the second proposal aims to establish the Edo/Delta State Yearly Competition for Secondary Schools, to be held on a rotational basis between Edo and Delta states’ governments starting next year.
In response, the Olympians lauded Governor Obaseki’s extraordinary commitment to sports infrastructure development in the state.
In particular, Dr. Godwin Obasogie commended the revitalization of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other sports facilities, emphasizing that the stadium boasts world-class and state-of-the-art facilities comparable to any other in the world.
As Edo State continues to foster its sports development program and nurture young talents, the presence and guidance of illustrious athletes like Dr. Godwin Obasogie, Dr. Bruce I. Ijirigho, and Charlton Ehizuelen serve as an inspiration to the next generation of aspiring athletes, who are eager to follow in the footsteps of these esteemed Olympians and make their mark on the world stage.
