Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has unveiled new jerseys for Bendel Insurance, and the Edo Queen Football clubs for the new season.
Comrade Shaibu was joined by the secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, and the state chief judge, Hon. Justice Joe Acha, at the event held in the Government House, Benin City.
Shaibu explained at the occasion, that the state government has introduced sports as part of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools across the state as the era of sports scholarship is back.
“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,” Shaibu stated.
The state will unveil incentive packages to further promote sports in the state, the deputy governor disclosed.
“Every year, we are going to be having the Edo State Sports Festival and the talents will be drawn from the grassroots. We will also introduce the Head of Service Cup where civil servants engage in sporting activities. We also have plans for inter-ministerial games, which will commence this year”.
To raise the moral of the state football teams, the government also has packages.
“This year, Governor Godwin Obaseki has promised and asked the ministry to start the process of building a dedicated stadium and accommodation for Bendel Insurance and Edo Queens Football Clubs. The stadium will be a source of revenue for the club. It will have facilities for camping. The governor has also approved the purchase of a bus for Bendel Insurance and their supporters’ club.
“We are doing things differently to enable these clubs to compete favourably with other world-class teams and clubs. We are one of the first governments across the world to ensure that our male and female clubs earn the same salaries and are treated equally without discrimination,” Shaibu noted.
He said the state government is not owing any salaries.
“We don’t owe salaries for both clubs as we have not owed them any salaries in over four and half years now. We pay them 24th of every month. We also don’t owe them match allowances or bonuses.”
