Obinna Ogba, the Chairman of Senate’s Committee on Youths and Sports Development, on Monday said the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin has none comparable to it in the country presently.
Ogba gave the assessment shortly after he was conducted round several of the facilities put in place for the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogba was conducted round the facilities by Philip Shaibu, the Edo deputy governor, who is also Chairman of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC).
“I am highly impressed with what I have seen so far. In fact, since I have been visiting stadiums, I have not seen this type before in the country.
“I don’t have much to say rather than to thank Gov. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu. Edo have really written their name in gold.
“By the time this stadium is open to the public and the youths see what their governor has done with tax-payers money, they will never forget him.
“At all the facilities we have visited, they have done very well, particularly what they are doing at the University of Benin. The whole hostel is wearing a new look.
“And where they have some job to do, the deputy governor has charged them to complete the work within 24 hours.
“I have charged the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to take all the things we have seen here to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja,’’ he said.
Ogba pointed out that Edo was ready for the 20th NSF. “They are ready. We can all see that nothing is holding them. We can see that all the needed facilities are on ground.’’
Also speaking, Shaibu assured that the state was ready to receive over 11,000 athletes and officials for the festival.
“We only pray to have a better climate, to enable us showcase all the facilities we have on ground.
“Also, beyond the facilities, we have some logistics ready, especially in the area of the health issues,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the facilities inspected by Ogba include the Games Village at University of Benin, the basketball court at Emotan College and the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.(NAN)