Edo State has taken the bull by the horn in their efforts to return as the hub of sports in the country, as the state government is ready to host the next National Sports Festival in 2020.
Although the initial hosts after Lagos 12012, Cross River State never got the reality of pulling off the feat, and eventually lost out to the FCT for this year’s edition, sports247.ng learnt that Edo State is ready to go the whole hog.
This was the disclosure of the deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, while addressing sports journalists at government house in Benin City.
Shaibu, who is a registered footballer with promotion seeking Bendel Insurance FC of Benin City this season in the lower division NNL, hinted that high profile Edo personalities have already been approached to help the state get the nod to host the festival.
He said government has scrapped the sports ministry and set up a sports commission headed by an executive chairman, Barrister Godwin Dudu-Orumen.
Shaibu also disclosed that efforts are paying-off, with the expected promotion of Bendel to the top league, adding that the upgrading of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium’s facilities like the pitch, swimming pool, lawn tennis court, tartan tracks to world-class standard have since commenced.
The deputy governor stressed that 20 mini-stadia are being constructed across the 18 Local Government Areas with a view to promoting sports development at the grassroots.
He stated: “Mr. Governor has directed that I declare the intention of Edo State Government to host and win the National Sports Festival in 2020 in furtherance of its transformation agenda in the sports sector.
“We are very serious and determined when we say we want to restore the lost glory of Edo in sports.
“Towards this end, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is undergoing serious renovation to bring the facilities to world class standard.
“We are also building 20 mini stadia across the 18 Local Government Areas in the state. We are doing all these in preparation for the big unity festival in 2020”
“We are not only hosting to win but to showcase other world-class facilities in sports. We want other states to support our bid because Edo is centrally located and accessible within every part of Nigeria.
“We have a rich culture, it is the home of hospitality and Edo is very peaceful. Edo state is the most secured state in the oil rich south south region. We are proud to say this.”
