By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

Ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival slated for Ogun State, the Torch of Unity for the festival arrived Benin on Wednesday.

Receiving the torch on behalf of the Edo State government at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, deputy governor of the state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, commended President Bola Tinubu for transforming the country’s sports sector, uniting the people, and rekindling hopes amongst the Nigerian youths.

Idahosa, who expressed optimism on the outcome of the National Sports Festival, noted that with the magnitude of investment and commitment by the Okpebholo-led administration in revamping the sports sector of Edo State, he was sure that the Edo Team would make Edo people proud.

“I want to thank the President, His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for using sports to bring all the youths of Edo State and across the country together.

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“For us in Edo, we are ready to support the Edo State Sports Commission to win medals and we are very sure that they are going to come home top position,” Idahosa enthused.

In his address, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin, commended the laudable impact of Governor Okpebholo in equipping and transforming the sports sector of the state.

He expressed the state’s preparedness to emerge victorious in the forthcoming National Sports Festival.

“We would all be gathering in Ogun State from the 16th to the 30th of May, 2025. As you know, Edo State is known for sports. When you say Edo State, you say Sports”.

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“The last sports festival we came out third, but this time around, the governor, distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, has given us the support that we need. So, this time around, we know that Edo State is going to come out top there,” Amadin reassured.

In her remarks, the team lead for the National Sports Festival Torch, Mbora Ikana, expressed optimism on the success of the forthcoming National Sports Festival and its impact in nurturing young talents amongst our youths in the State and country at large

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission that was mandated by the President, Ahmed Tinubu, to take the torch round the 36 states including Abuja.

“We are in Edo State today, and the essence of the torch is to invite the state to the Festival and to create awareness that sport is the only unifying platform in our country and we are are supposed to harness the talents of our youths through sports”, Ikana said.