by Edward Oseghe
The Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele Amadi, on Thursday reiterated the state government’s commitment to taking sports in the state to its pinnacle.
Speaking during a familiarization tour to the Edo Queens players’ camp, Enabulele said the mandate given to the board by Governor Monday Okpebholo was to make Edo State sports industry productive and viable.
He said the welfare of the players would be top priority, adding that the state government would be elated to see Edo Queens win more laurels for the state.
“I want to use this medium to congratulate you all on your exploits at the just concluded CAF Women Champions League in Morocco. Currently you are champions of WAFU-B play-off, and you also did very well in Morocco,” Enabulele said.
“We have come for us to know ourselves. The state governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, is a sports loving governor. He has told us that these players should be given the best so that they can become world-class stars.
“We want to be the new Brazil in Africa. We are committed to providing enabling environment for Edo State Sports men and women to excel so that they can make money for themselves, and Edo State will also benefit in foreign exchange.”
The Edo Sports Commission boss appealed to the players to be patient with the commission as whatever they were passing through was just temporary.
“My board members are core sports persons who are ready to bring on board their experiences and expertise. I love sports I used to look for somebody to take me to Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to watch Bendel Insurance,” Enabulele said.
“You are all players with great potentials. We must work together to harness this potentials into greatness. We have been given a mandate, and that mandate is to take Edo State sports to the top, We can only achieve this through collaboration, determination, team work, discipline and commitment.
“I’m aware that some of your bonuses and allowances have not be paid, I have been briefed about it. I want to assure you that your monies are intact. I just resumed work yesterday and hopefully before the weekend I will see what can be done about it,” he said.
He assured that the issues the players raised concerning the camp would be addressed, urging them to keep on the winning spirit as they prepare for the new season.
“Edo people want to see you become African Champions. We will give the necessary supports needed for you to you to excel.
“Being our first meeting, I’m sending you all the sum of one million naira as a token of love. Merry Christmas to you all in advance,” he said.
The board member representing Edo North, Frank IIaboya, congratulated the girls for their excellent performance during the CAF Women’s Champions League showpiece in Cote d’Ivoire and Morocco, describing Edo Queens as African champions.
“I want to use this opportunity to welcome you all back from Morocco. You went, you saw and you conquered. As far as I’m concerned, you are champions. I want to say here that the Governor, the Chairman, everybody is happy with you. You have made Edo people proud, you have made Nigeria proud, you have made Edo State sports family proud,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the club, Captain Efe Osakpolor thanked the Chairman for his magnanimous spirit, promising that Edo Queens would not disappoint the state.
Osakpolor appealed to the Chairman to look into their demand as they commence campaign for NWFL new premiership season with star home match against Abia Angels on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
