After the successful hosting of the second 10km Okpekpe race, which will soon get IAAF Golden rating, Edo Football Association have become the first to recognize one its own and initiator of the programme, and a the Honorary Adviser to Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Sports, Mr Mike Itemuagbor. Itemuagbor, was given a gold plated plaque for his efforts so far, even as the FA say they expect more from their great son.
The Edo State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Mobilisation, Hon Chris Okaeben has also spoken favourably of Edo Sports, the FA and plans to reposition the state away from the current manner where thuggery and other anti-sports activities which he said are the order of the day.
“We must be civil and take sports as entertainment not quarrel or fight every time we have a match at the Ogbe Stadium, there must be a winner and a loser or at worst a drawn game. We want to attract sponsorship and the current attitude will not help us”, Okaeben said at the closing ceremony of the Edo FA Cup, which was won 1-0 by Bendel Insurance over Dynamite Force FC also of Benin City.
At the occasion proper, few Edo indigenes who have contributed to sports development and football were awarded honorary plaques. Among them was the Sports Commissioner Hon Okaeben, Mr Mike Itemuagbor, an established sports marketing guru, for his outstanding role in Edo and Nigerian sports development, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pro Julius Ihonvbere, and one time Green Eagles top striker, Emmanuel Obasuyi alias Shakara, who recently retired as Head Coach of Edo FA and Barr BE Onuwabhagbe as well and Coach Solomon Ogbeide.
Edo FA Chairman, High Chief Abel Ehigie, abley assisted by his vice, Frank Ilaboya, assured that Edo FA, will surely bring back the glory days of football through adequate partnership with government and the private sector. The highly entertaining Edo Fed Cup final was watched by a sizeable crowd with Governor Oshiomhole represented by state SSG, Prof Ihonvbere.
newfanzone 