The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, has assured stakeholders that sports would continue to get quality attention in the state.
Shaibu who spoke while receiving Sportsville Recognition Award at the weekend in Lagos noted that the Gov. Godwin Obaseki administration has since coming into office paid special attention to sports development, insisting that it would be sustained in the next four years of the administration’s second term.
“We are passionate about returning sports to its pride of place in the state. That is why we have started upgrading our facilities to world-class.
“The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium has come to life again and we are building another 20 mini stadiums in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
“We want to make the state the sports destination of the nation once again.
The Deputy Governor who is a registered player of the state’s owned Bendel Insurance FC, stressed that any visitor to the state now will see the new trend in sports development.
“Anybody who comes to Edo today would see for himself what we are doing in the area of sports facilities.
“We are also working seriously to bring the state owned clubs to professional status, Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens are enjoying enhanced package and the best of welfare.
“This model we want to replicate in other sports, especially with attention to athletes welfare,” the sports loving Deputy Governor added
Hon Shaibu described the award from Sportsville as “credible one coming from a credible outfit.
“I am happy to receive this award from Sportsville which has been in the forefront of sports development in the past 20 years.
“This award is a big challenge for me and the other receipients to do more . This is one award, I truly cherish,” he stated.
The Deputy Governor was represented at the event by Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Barrister Kingsley Ehigiamusor and Musa Ebomhiana at the well-attended ceremony.
