Edo State targets more major competitions as National Golden League of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria lights up city

Posted : 15 June 2023

Edo State Sports Commission Chairman, Yussuf Alli has declared that the sport facilities in Benin city are the best to host major sporting events in the country.

Alli, at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, ahead of the two-day National Golden League of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, promised that the state was ready to have a befitting tournament.

"If you look at our vision and mission statement for sports which is to make Edo state the home of sports exhibition in this country and if that would be, we have to host as many tournaments," Alli exclusively told the media.

"That's what we are trying to do telling the whole world that we have one of the best facilities in the country and there is no way you will leave good facilities for a bad one.

"Let me also alert you that not only the Golden league will be hosted here but also the National trials will be coming back.

"You will recall that last year after the National trials here, Tobi Amusan ran here and went back and set a world record.

"So it shows that our facilities are really world standard, and not only that, Edo state is a place that within an hour by flight you can find Edo state easily and you can always stop by to see good infrastructure laid down by the Edo state government.

"That's why we are creating events for our people because the facilities here are not only for Nigeria but international sports brands.

"With this, our young ones are coming to see some of their idols which they might have been following on social media in the physical," he said.

The former Long jumper further admonished the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to embrace peace as family and put an end to the cold war within the federation.

"If you look at the composition of the AFN now, you look at the President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, the secretary general of the federation, Rita Mosindi, a seasoned secretary, Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku, who is also a former athlete, Dare Esan who is a media man, we have a lot of them who are doing well at the moment.

"So I want to pray that they stay focused and nip the bud of any infighting among the board members because of the dreams of the young ones.

"Nigeria, right now, has over 5 athletes running under 10secs which is a plus to the country, only the Americans or Jamaicans can boast of such athletes.

"So one thing the AFN should now get is to act together and put up proper camping, treat our athletes well so that we can go to the world stage and win many medals, which is very important, because when the AFN worked very well in the past, we achieved a lot," Alli said.

Edo State targets more major competitions as National Golden League of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria lights up city

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