The Edo State Government on Tuesday inaugurated a 12-member organizing committee for the hosting of Edo State Secondary Schools Games.
The scholl sports tournament is part of sports development strategy of the government aimed at enhancing grassroots sports.
The inauguration was done by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt.Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.
The State Government had earlier set up an inter-agency committee to look into the inclusion of sports in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools in the State. The committee’s report has since been approved by the State Government.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Shaibu noted that research has shown that without competitions, athletes cannot achieve their desired progress or improve their standards.
According to him, this has brought to the fore, the need for the institution of Edo State Secondary School Games, as a way of creating a platform for athletes to display their sporting skills.
“The State Government places so much emphasis on grassroots sports development, hence His Excellency, Mr. Governor gave the Sports Commission a target of discovering 10,000 athletes in the next five years and harnessing same. This translates to at least, discovery of 2,000 athletes in one year”.
“The Secondary School Games is one golden opportunity for the Sports Commission to meet up with the target and possibly surpass it.
“It is expected that the collaboration of the Ministry of Education, the Local Government Sports Committees and the State Sports Commission will take sports to the desired level”.
“Edo State Government recognizes the important role of sports in the improvement and maintenance of good health, enrichment of social relations and the development of critical thinking,as well as facilitation of learning”.
“Sports, therefore, contribute to the all-round development of a person. To this end, the State Government is actively committed to providing a holistic education that aims at transforming the students capacity to contribute to the socio-economic development of the State,” Shaibu said.
The Chairman and Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yussuf Alli and Mrs. Sabina Chikere, in their separate remarks, described the development as a milestone towards successful grassroots sports development in Edo State.
The committee has the executive chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Yussuf Alli as chairman and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Permanent Secretary, Edo Sports Commission as Secretary, while Hon. Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communications and Orientation and Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs
Barr Andrew Emwanta are members.
Other members of the committee include the Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations, Edo State Sports Commission, Dr Emmanuel Igbinosa, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Dr. Osa Oviawe, Commissioner for Education, Dr Joan Osa Oviawe, co-chairperson, Commissioner for Health Prof. Obehi Akoria, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Dankwara Mohammed, Executive Chairman Subeb, Ozavize Salami; Board Secretary, Edo State Secondary Education Board, Osawe Osagie, Executive Director, Sports Facilities Development and Maintenance, Edo State Sports Commission Osayaba Osarenren.
