Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has assured the people of the state that his administration would revive sporting activities in schools to inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship in students.
Obaseki made the promise when he received the executives and members of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo Chapter on courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Benin on Wednesday.
He also said his administration would promote youths’ participation in athletics to return the state to the glorious days where it occupied the leading position in sports in Nigeria.
“We want to make sure that we regain our pride of place and restore our legacy in sports in the nation.
“In sports, we were leaders and we will do everything to ensure we retrace our step and recover our position and pride in sports,” he said
Obaseki further said his administration was studying the recommendations of the recently held workshop on Sports, to enable it set up a sports commission in the state.
According to him, parts of Ogbemudia Stadium will be refurbished while professionals will be employed to ensure that the state-owned Bendel Insurance Football Club performs well in the league.
Earlier the Chairman of the state chapter of SWAN, Ahmed Aigbona, commended the Godwin Obaseki-led administration for its commitment to sports promotion.
“We commend you for your commitment to developing sports in Edo and your assurance to faithfully implement the outcome of the sports workshop,” he said.
Aigbona said that SWAN was planning to establish a radio station in the state to key into the present administration’s drive to create employment for the teeming youths in the state.
He, however, appealed to the governor to regularise the employment of SWAN members who were currently casual staff in the state government-owned media houses (NAN)