The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere has described Edo state as a model to other states in the area of sports development in Nigeria.
Mrs Chikere stated this in an exclusive interview with Wakawaka Sports Extra, saying that the present administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki is putting things in place to ensure that sports thrived effectively in the state.
She said” “Edo Sports Commission has just been inaugurated. We have the Chairman of the board and other seasoned professionals that make up the board.
“We are charged with reviving sports in Edo State. And we are going to do our very best to make sure that the confidence reposed in us by the governor and people of the state is deserved.
“The Governor has charged the board to make sure that 10,000 young persons are removed from the street to take career in sports. We are going to try our best to make sure we come up with programmes that will make the dream realistic.”
On how to actualise the dreams, she said that policies and programmes have been put in place to make it a reality.
“We are going to come up by trying to revamp school sports to begin with grassroots development;go into the hinterlands and bring out raw talents, identify the talents and bring out the best in them.
“We are going to come up with a lot of activities in terms of school sports competitions to be held, grassroot development to be emphasised on in order to take Edo Sports to the next level.
“We have a sports loving governor and deputy, what they want to do is to put things in place, creat enabling environment and to bring in a lot of development partners into sports so that the sporting industry will not die with or without the present administration.
“Policies will be put in place that will make sure that sports can thrive on its own in the long run.”
Chikere believes that the massive amount of resources invested in having a standard facility will attract investors to key into what the state government is doing.
“The state government is investing a lot in terms of sports facilities. We have the best stadium so far in the country and building mini stadia around the 18 LGAs.
“We are investing more in facilities because those are the things that will encourage young people and attract investors to partner with you, giving them the enabling environment.”
On Bendel Insurance FC ambition this season, she predicted that Insurance of Benin will gain promotion and won’t get relegated if eventually they pull through the hurdle, noting that their welfare packages have been improved and provided promptly.
“We have put everthing in place in terms of their welfare packages. We are hopeful and sure that this time around we will gain promotion and we will remain in the premier league.
“The last time we gained promotion, the politics didn’t allow us stay because there wasn’t really any proper preparations because there was no time for recruitment but this time around we are going there and will remain there.”
Chikere went further to acknowledge her family for being supporting while stating that Edo state is ready to conquer.
“It hasn’t been easy but I have a supportive husband and my children know that i’m out there doing my best trying to make them proud and happy. I want to thank them for giving me that opportunity to enable me showcase the hidden talent in me.
“We are ready and prepared to conquer the world and showcase what we have in Edo state and the world should expect the best from Edo State. She concluded.
