BY EBEN ENASCO
Pharmacist Tom Obaseki, the Executive Chairman, of the Oredo Government Council on Thursday, broke a new record when he set in motion the first-ever Council’s Boxing event in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria.
The 3-day event tagged “Oredo Games 2024” was launched at the indoor sports complex of the rejuvenated Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Tom Obaseki said the event heralded the future of the sports revolution in the new Oredo Government Council.
“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 foot walks of Davison Ande. So what we are doing today is to start with Boxing and go back to build our people”.
He maintained 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, adding that by the end of April, they expect to start the Futsan games which he said will go side by side across primary and junior secondary schools.
“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,” Obaseki said
He applauded the role played by his team and staffers, especially Ronnie Jacobs, his Special Adviser on internalization in achieving the results, noting: “When I first told the staffers of the Council, that we were going to internationalize Oredo, they didn’t know what I was talking about. It was Ronnie Jacobs whom I appointed as a special adviser on internationalization.”
He urged all interests to take it to the interior, describing sports as a career.
He encouraged ward leaders to drive the initiative and make it a profitable career for the younger people even as the Oredo Games 2024 is believed to be a testament to the commitment to nurturing budding talents and viable community.
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 grassroots to encourage their active participation.
The commissioner for local government and community affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo urged the Council to sustain the initiative to rescue youths from all forms of social crisis.
He was represented by Erhabor Jackson of the State Sports Commission who 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 communities praised the initiator and his team for a successful run. He expressed confidence in his role, projecting the new Oredo to the world.
Precious Samuel, a Participating Boxing athlete, and others cut across Lagos, Oyo, Ikpoba Okha, and the host, Oredo, United in their expectations after they were introduced to take part in the shadowboxing.
Amongst the Dignitaries who attended the launch event were 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, Mageret Alegbe, HOD Information Harrison Oronsaye, HOD Procurement Ekhator Zeliab, All Supervising Councillors, Special Advisers, and Councilors.
The event is probably the best and the first boxing craft in recent times organized by the Oredo Government Council to build future Champions made in the boxing rings in Nigeria as boxers are prepared to slug it out in the bout at the indoor sports complex of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
