Sports
How Enabulele Is Driving Okpebholo’s Agenda In Edo Sports Commission
The Edo State Sports Commission has outlined the remarkable strides achieved under the purposeful and dynamic leadership of His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebbholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State with Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele, on the driver’s seat since he was appointed to assume office on December 18, 2024.
In less than a year, Enabulele has driven transformative reforms, strengthened grassroots development, and re-established Edo as a dominant force in Nigerian sports — all in line with the visionary sports agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Focused investments in grassroots talent have produced record-breaking results. At the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Team Edo finished among the top performers, securing an unprecedented 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals — the best in the state’s history. Enabulele attributed the success to Governor Okpebholo’s steadfast commitment to athlete welfare and sports advancement.
Edo also impressed at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, finishing third overall with 89 medals (23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze). At the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Edo athletes recorded a massive 302-medal haul — 76 gold, 101 silver, and 125 bronze.
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Several Edo Queens FC players have continued to fly the state’s flag internationally. Seven players — Oscar Precious, Hunu Adeshina, Adegbemile Rebecca, Uzoma Ijeoma, Esther Inyang, Moses Chioma, and Kafayat Mafisere — earned national call-ups to the U-20 Super Falconets. Similarly, five female rugby players — Abba Chinaza, Precious Ukwuoma, Success Iyoha, Becky Okitikpe, and Vera Akhihero — were invited to Nigeria’s national camp ahead of the World Rugby League Series in Canada (October 17–27).
Through Enabulele’s unwavering support, Team Edo’s deaf athletes shone at the West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship in Abuja, where Deborah Ighawuanre won two gold medals, while Victory Odokara, Okpaise Nathaniel Jr., and Assurance Omoria picked multiple medals in sprint events.
Edo’s para-athletes also made their mark. Seventeen-year-old Ojieabu Favour Omo won six medals at the African Para-Cycling Track Championship in Cairo, alongside gold medalists Osaretin Godwin Grace and Divine Ogbe.
Team Edo maintained dominance across other competitions:
Para-Powerlifting & Karate Tournaments (Abuja): Five Edo athletes broke national and world records, including Tolulope Ogundolie (45kg) and Esther Oyema (55kg).
READ ALSO:Enabulele Applauds Team Edo Deaf Athletes For Performance At W’Africa Championship
South-South Senior Badminton Championship (Asaba): Team Edo emerged overall best, led by Promise James Ekong’s double-gold performance.
CNS Swimming Championship (Asaba): Edo swimmers bagged 31 medals, with standout performances from Precious Tissa and relay stars Forcados Funfumimi, Christian Obomanu, Solid Government, and Victor Uruonah.
The Commission also launched the Under-17 Chess Tournament to discover and nurture young intellectual talents across the state.
At the National Hauxing Wushu Kung Fu Championship in Lagos, Edo athletes clinched 7 gold, 7 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Top performers included Kelly Alonge (2 gold), Osayande Osatahawen (1 gold), Destiny Obasi (1 gold), Joshua Emokpae (1 gold, 1 bronze), Onaifo Godwin (1 gold, 1 bronze), Osawoname Ohangbon (1 gold, 1 bronze), and Omokaro Iredia (1 silver, 1 bronze).
READ ALSO:Edo Commits To Sports Development, Grassroots Talent Discovery – Enabulele
Edo also successfully hosted the South-South Zonal Eliminations for the National Sports Festival, earning commendations from the National Sports Commission for professionalism and organisation.
Edo Queens’ continued dominance as WAFU B Champions remains a model for Nigerian women’s football. Despite losing several players to international clubs, the team maintained top form under Governor Okpebholo’s supportive leadership.
Hon. Enabulele also celebrated Coach Moses Opuamowei Aduku, who led the Super Falconets to victory in their second-round qualifiers, describing his success as proof of Edo’s investment in coaching excellence.
The Commission has deepened partnerships linking education with sports development. The Governor’s Cup, backed by Governor Okpebholo, produced champions from Ogbe Secondary School (male category) and Idia College (female category), both of whom were rewarded with brand new buses.
Facility upgrades are ongoing to meet international standards, while the proposed Edo Indoor Cricket Complex, presented by the Edo State Cricket Association, highlights the administration’s commitment to sports infrastructure.
Under Enabulele’s watch, Edo has hosted several national tournaments, including the EKUS Judo Championship, Ardova PLC Handball Premier League, and the NBBF/Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Premier League, cementing its status as Nigeria’s true sporting hub.
On the global stage, Hon. Enabulele lauded Bolade Bezi for setting a new Guinness World Record with a 57-hour, 10-minute E-Sports marathon on God of War, adding a digital dimension to Edo’s sporting legacy.
He also received a letter of appreciation from the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) to Governor Okpebholo for Edo’s vital support during the 2025 All Africa AirBadminton Tournament in Ghana, where Team Nigeria won two silver and four bronze medals, qualifying for the World Cup in Sharjah, UAE (December 11–14, 2025).
Sustaining this winning momentum through constant engagement with association chairmen, coaches, athletes, and stakeholders, Enabulele has firmly placed Edo State on the path to a lasting sports revolution.
According to him, “Our mission is clear — to make Edo State the model for sports governance and athlete development in Nigeria. With the unwavering support of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, we will sustain this momentum and achieve even greater feats.”
