Sports
One Year Of Sports Excellence Under Governor Okpebholo’s Leadership

By Edoko Wilson Edoko
The Edo State Sports Commission has celebrated one year of steady progress and transformation under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State. The past year has seen significant reforms, innovation, and achievements across all levels of sports in the state.
Led by Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, the Commission has revived Edo’s sporting heritage and re-established the state as a dominant force in Nigerian sports — fulfilling Governor Okpebholo’s vision of a vibrant, talent-driven, and development-oriented sports ecosystem.
At the 2025 National Youth Games in Asaba, Team Edo achieved its best performance yet, finishing among the top teams with 33 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze medals. The state also finished third at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, winning 89 medals, and recorded a 302-medal haul at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.
Hon. Enabulele credited these achievements to Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to athlete welfare and grassroots sports development.
READ ALSO: Okpebholo’s Eight-year Tenure Non-negotiable, Says Commissioner
Edo athletes also shone internationally. Seven Edo Queens FC players were called up to the U-20 Super Falconets, while five female rugby players represented Nigeria at the World Rugby League Series in Canada. Para-athletes and deaf athletes brought home several medals from regional and continental championships, including 17-year-old Ojieabu Favour Omo, who won six medals at the African Para-Cycling Track Championship in Cairo.
Team Edo dominated several national competitions, including para-powerlifting, karate, badminton, swimming, and kung fu tournaments. The state also hosted the South-South Zonal Eliminations for the National Sports Festival, earning praise for its professionalism.
The Commission deepened the link between education and sports through the Governor’s Cup, rewarding winning schools with new buses, and introduced the Under-17 Chess Tournament to promote intellectual sports. Plans for an Edo Indoor Cricket Complex are also underway.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo, Idahosa Bag UNIBEN Distinguished Service, Leadership Awards
Edo Queens FC maintained their regional dominance as WAFU B Champions, while Coach Moses Opuamowei Aduku’s leadership of the Super Falconets further underscored Edo’s excellence.
Governor Okpebholo was honoured by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) as Distinguished Governor of the Year for his contributions to sports development. Hon. Enabulele also received the SWAN Diamond Jubilee National Award for exemplary leadership.
The Commission has expanded Edo’s sports structure with the inauguration of the Armwrestling Association Board and continued medal-winning performances in taekwondo, powerlifting, and athletics.
“As our Governor marks one year in office, Edo’s sports continue to soar,” Hon. Enabulele said. “Our goal is to make Edo a model for sports governance and athlete development in Nigeria. With the Governor’s support, we are confident of achieving even greater success.”
Edoko Wilson Edoko is the Media Officer to the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission.
Sports
EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.
The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.
READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola
But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.
But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.
So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.
READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title
“That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.
“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”
Sports
EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.
Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.
Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.
READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race
Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.
“It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.
“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”
READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash
Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.
“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.
“But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”
Sports
Davido Reacts As Gov Adeleke Dumps PDP

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted to the shock resignation of his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The singer kept it short but loaded, posting “Jeje… ” widely interpreted as a subtle message of calmness, quiet movement, or strategic withdrawal as the political storm around the governor intensifies.
Governor Adeleke’s resignation, though only discovered on Monday night was actually tendered on 4 November 2025, ahead of the party’s national convention in Ibadan. His aide, Olawale Rasheed, leaked the letter online, confirming the governor had walked away from the troubled party weeks ago.
READ ALSO:Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP
In the letter addressed to his Ward 2 chairman in Ede North, Adeleke cited the unresolved crisis at the PDP national level as the reason for quitting. He appreciated the party for backing his rise as senator and later governor.
The revelation has thrown today’s scheduled Osun 2026 governorship primary into confusion. While the state chapter announced a postponement due to factional firestorms, the National Working Committee insists the primary must hold — even though Adeleke remains the only aspirant who bought the form.
There is growing speculation that the governor is now eyeing a second term under the Accord Party, which several of his aides are rumoured to have already infiltrated and taken over in Osun.
His earlier attempt to defect to the APC reportedly hit a brick wall, with party leaders rejecting his move.
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