Ozekhome Chairs Weightlifting, as Obaseki inaugurates 31 Edo Sports Associations

By Nosakhare Agbonigiarhuoyi

Foremost Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome has been inaugurated as the Chairman of the Edo State Weightlifting Association by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

In another major step towards promoting sports in the State, Mr Obaseki inaugurated 31 Sports Associations on Friday, April 28, 2023. The governor, in his address, reiterated the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for corporate involvement in sports promotions and development.

According to the governor, the primary goal of these associations is to manage sports in the State from the grassroots level. He emphasized that the issue of grassroots sports development is a priority for the state, and to achieve this, the government has focused on establishing the necessary structures and processes.

The governor recounted his administration’s achievements in sports and reiterated his commitment to working with various associations in the State to build more sporting infrastructure across the state. He charged the members of the inaugurated associations towards optimal performance in terms of revenue generation, mobilization of young athletes, and winning awards from competitions.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, also expressed his delight at the government’s renewed interest in sports. He described sports as a real business in the state, no longer limited to the social category, adding that sports is now going to be adding to the GDP of Edo state.

Speaking on the importance of sports development as it relates to tourism, Mr. Obaseki said that sport is a key driver of tourism, and one way the state is trying to diversify its economy is through tourism. He expressed his desire to attract sportspeople and sporting activities to the state.

The Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Yusuf Ali, also lauded the government’s initiative in inaugurating 31 Sports Associations. He emphasized that government alone cannot form sports, and the commission requires technocrats, people with wisdom, and ideas to help with sports development in the state.

In conclusion, Governor Obaseki’s initiative to establish these associations is a significant step towards achieving grassroots sports development in Edo State. It will provide opportunities for young athletes and create a conducive environment for corporate involvement in sports promotions and development.

The associations inaugurated and their chairpersons are:

Athletics – Barr. Dele Edokpayi

Aquatics – Mr. Clement Sunday Minabowan

Badminton – Mr. Onome Obruthe

Basketball –  Mr Michael Gaius-Obaseki

Boxing – Albert Eromosele

Chess – H.E. Mrs Maryann Philip Shaibu

Cricket – Mr Uyi Akpata

Cycling – Mrs Anita Rukyat Ajayi

Dart – Osayi Emmanuel

Deaf Athletics – Rev Testimony E. M. Eriamiatoe

Golf – Mr Andrew Momodu

Gymnastics – Prince Kelvin Erhunwunse

Handball – Chris Oshiafi

Hockey – Barr. Walter Imoedemhe (Ph.D)

Judo – Mrs Loveth Howell

Karate – Sensie Ben Aigbe Daniel

Kick-boxing –  Owen Okperigho

Kung-Fu – Mr Courage Osayi

Para Athletics –  Ambassador Jacob Ighodaro JP

Para Powerlifting – Osawaru Ogeide-Ihama

Rugby – Comrade Sunny Osayande

Scrabble –  Mr. Okuoimose Hanson Eguagie

Shooting – Engr. David Babatunde Olukoga

Squash –  Hon. Austin Atakpo

Table Tennis, Deaf & Para – Table Tennis –  Pst. Charles Osazuwa

Taekwondo –  Esosa Peter Edosomwan

Tennis/Wheel Chair Tennis – Joseph Osawaru and Mr. George Etomi as Patron

Traditional Sports – Mohammed Abubakar

Volleyball/Beach Volleyball –  Thomas Aroko

Weightlifting –  Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN

Wrestling –  Morris Atula.