Adebayo Adenrele
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has unveiled new Jerseys for for the state’s Football Clubs, Edo Queens and Bendel Insurance sponsored by Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited and Sterling Bank.
Obaseki, ably represented by his deputy, Philip Shaibu unveiled these new Jerseys at the New Festival Hall of the government House, Benin City.
Shaibu noted that Edo State government is working on providing enabling environment towards ensuring that the organised private sector takes over the exclusive funding of sports, particularly football as the case in other parts of the world.
The Deputy Governor added that Obaseki’s administration was plotting a graph that would ensure that sports funding in the state was taken over by the Private sector.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that a Nigerian construction firm, Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited is sponsoring the female Team,Edo Queens while Sterling Bank is sponsoring its male counterpart, Bendel Insurance.
His words: “Now our graph is at between 90-10 and 80-20, but we are working towards a situation where the graph will be 10-90, meaning that government would only be responsible for 10% of the funding and the Private sector 90% until we achieve a situation where full value of the game is maximally explored, not just as entertainment, as viable commercial and income generating tool.”
While commending the Sponsors, Comrade Shuaibu added Governor Godwin Obaseki had introduced sports as part of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools across the state as a fundamental step to cultivate young talents.
“In developing sports in Edo State, we have made it part of the curriculum in our primary and secondary schools. In our public schools, we will dedicate Wednesdays for sporting activities. It will also be part of the continuous assessment in our schools. The era for sports scholarship is back to Edo State.” He said
While commending Governor Godwin Obaseki for his resolve to promote sports for development, the Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited Company, Engr Lanre Adeleke stated that the sponsorship of the women’s football Club was to further establish the company’s belief that patronage of the nation’s local content would not only reduce unemployment, but would also douse youth unrest and enhance the image of the country in the international space.
Engr Adeleke believed that the sponsorship of a women football team by his company is another major avenue to build capacity of women, show that women could do more unimaginable exploits and accelerate national development with their contributions in sports, academic and politics among others if given the opportunity.
The Executive Director of Sterling Bank, Tunde Adeola said the Bank would continue to invest in Bendel Insurance football team because it believes in its capacity for quality football.
The unveiling ceremony was witnessed by the secretary to Edo State government, Hon Osarodin Ogie Esq, Chairman of the State Sport Commission, Hon Yusuf Alli, and Edo State Chief Judge, Hon Justice Joe Acha among other dignitaries including Ex-Internationals and Football enthusiasts.