Dr Tom Obaseki, the Chairman, of the Oredo Local government Council sent the gaming community into a frenzy, by clattering a new record that stood out for years in the first-ever Councils boxing bout in Benin City.
The Council boss wrote himself into history on Thursday at the 3-day event tagged, “Oredo Games 2024”. It was launched at the indoor sports complex of the remodeled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Speaking at the opening remarks, the Council Chairman, Dr. Tom Obaseki said the event heralds the future of the sports revolution in the Council.
He said, “Today, we have started the move to bring back sport and not just sport but the role of sports development in society.
Continuing, he hinted, “As the name goes Oredo Games, suggests that we are not only going to stop with Boxing but just starting with Boxing. Edo State has produced world Champions in boxing and a lot of us may not remember that.
“But, 30 years ago, we produced world champions. I am sure some of us still remember the footwalks of Davison Ande. So what we are doing today is to start with Boxing and go back to build our people”, Obaseki said.
He noted that there’s a strong connection between Sports and development and that is what the Council is re-enacting today.
The game according to the Council Chairman, is transforming in a dynamic shape starting with different games on different days, noting that at the end of April, the Futsan games would begin.
The event, according to him will go side-by-side across primary and Junior Secondary schools in the Council.
Obaseki said, “We are also going to have the World Football League and these are all going together. Probably in the future, we envisage a one-week all-together sports event”
He applauded the role played by his team and staffers, especially Ronnie Jacobs, his Special Adviser on internalization in achieving the results and
urge the people of Oredo Council to run with it.
He noted, “When I first told the staffers of the Council, that we were going to internationalise Oredo, they didn’t know what I was talking about”. It was Ronnie Jacobs whom I appointed as the Special Adviser on internationalization.
On his part, the leader of the legislative arms of the Council, Hon. Harrison Idemudia, praised the dexterity of the Council Chairman for the novel idea and assured of efforts in cascading the initiative to the interior to encourage their active participation.
On his part, the commissioner for local government and Community affairs, Mr Monday Osaigbovo, urged the Council to sustain the initiative to rescue youths from all forms of social crisis.
Mr Osaigbovo who was represented by Mr Erhabor Jackson of the State Sports Commission, stressed the need to engage the youths in sporting activities.
The elated Special Adviser on Internationalization, Ronnie Jacobs who played a key role in the transmission of the game’s events to international Community, praised the initiator and his team for a successful run.
He also expressed confidence in his role in projecting the new Oredo to the world.
Precious Samuel, a Participating boxing Athlete, and other participants cut across Lagos, Oyo, Ikpoba-Okha Local government Area and the host, Oredo, is United in their resolve to take part in the shadowboxing where official engagement between opponents will kick-off by Friday March 21st 2024 at noon.
The Secretary of the Council, Dr. Wellington Osadolor Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission Olympia Yusuf Ali, Permanent Secretary Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Deputy Director of Sport Organizing, Lady Doris Omoragbon, Edo South, HOD Socials, Margaret Alegbe, HOD Information Harrison Oronsaye, HOD Procurement, Ekhator Zeliab, All Supervising Councillors, Special Advisers, and Councilors were among the dignitaries that were present at the event.
Leave a Reply