Edo State Performance at the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State is quite commendable. Though Edo State came 5th on the medals table , it was a demonstration of proactive leadership in Sports in Edo State led by Hon Desmond Enabulele , Hon Frank Illaboya, and the DG ,Sports Commission .The Edo State Sports Commission is in a transition period, despite the short coming of having to reboot the process as there was no proper handing over of the affairs and activities of the Sports Commission, by the last egg heads. Despite the challenges, the Edo State Sports Commission hit the ground running by Constituting the Board of all the Sports Associations. The Commission hosted the regional Ball qualififying Sports of the Sports Festival and indeed participated in the Niger Delta Sports Festival .
Team Edo gave a good showing at the National Sports Festival, aa the Governor-Senator Monday Okpebholo gave them all the necessary support. My advice is to let the preparation for Ebugu 2026 start immediately. Edo can come tops as it has done severally.
I also call on the Sports Commission to collaborate with Edo State Ministry of Education to reintroduce Inter house Sports in all schools in Edo State .We should also inaugurate the Edo State School Sports Federation to organise the Edo State School Sports Fedtival to catch potential young .That was the Template Edo State used in dominating sports before now .
We should also bring back the Youth Sports Federation (YSFON ) and reintroduce the Princpal’s Cup .We should also fund further the Governor ‘s Cup .The Edo State FA Chairman-Com. Erhuwense is doing a fantastic job, and he should be supported.
The Sports Commission should beam its light on the Athletics Federation. There are many medals in Sports. There must be an intentional effort to get athletes who will bring the medals home .
The Olympic Size swimming pool is one of the best in Nigeria. We should make good use of it .
We should bring back the Ogbe Hard Court .At a time, it was an ATP programme .
The table tennis pavilion at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium is one of a kind .Let us open it up to get talents. The table tennis culture in Edo is very strong .We can use the culture to get medals for our State .
Chess and scrabble are also very popular among Edo Lites .Let us harness the resources
Edo People are very strong. Let us take advantage of their strength to do well in combat sports. Judo , wrestling , Takwaedo , kung fu , boxing , kick boxing mixed martial arts , etc .We should scout for talents .Edo used to be No. 1 in Sports in Nigeria. We can re-enact the past and create a better future .
About the Author:
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., Lawyer ,Writer and Policy Analyst is the
Vice Chairman of Edo State Mixed Martial Arts Association and he is also the Convener of Nigeria Sports Hub.
