NAN-S-20
Template
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Sept. 14, 2017（NAN) The Edo Government will soon work out a new template for its sports sector, the state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said in Benin on Thursday.
Shaibu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the government was also planning to provide sports facilities in the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
He said this would enhance the grooming of budding talents for future competitions.
“We are putting a template in place, where talents will be groomed from schools. By the time we start the schools sports festival, it will be more apparent that we can participate in any tournament,’’ the deputy governor said.
He said part of efforts to place sports in the forefront was the acceptance by the state government to host the NWFL Women’s Super Four League in Benin in October.
The deputy governor said hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Tanzania was also a testimony to the fact that government attaches importance to sports development.
He said the sports sector in the state was undergoing re-organisation, saying this was why the state was not present at the ongoing 3rd National Youth Games (NYG) at the University of Ilorin.
“An 11-man committee under my leadership is already working on preparing a template to help in setting up the state’s Sports Commission, in line with plans for a holistic re-organisation of the sports sector.
“The committee will submit its recommendations in the next few weeks to the governor,’’ Shaibu said.
He said the Godwin Obaseki-led state government was revamping everything that has to do with sports in the state.
“We are doing this to ensure that the state takes its pride of place in sporting activities in the country.
“Aside this, sports have become big business and we want to be able to leverage on this by bringing in the private sector to invest in sports development in the state.
“So, our absence in Ilorin could be seen to be deliberate because we have come to realise that it is not just about registering our presence at such Games.
“We want to be able to plan and check what we ought to achieve before participation in such events. It is not just about going into competition, there should be proper planning,” the deputy governor said.(NAN）
ESI/OSA/OLAL
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(Edited by Shittu Obassa and Olawale Alabi)