The Executive Director of the Edo State Sports Commission(ESSC) representing Edo Central, Anthony Ikuenobe (Esq) has stressed tha the state government is intensifying efforts to catch atlethes young across the nooks and crannies of the state, noting that sports development at the grassroots is the only way forward, and charged coaches and sports administrators to be on the lookout for talents at all grassroots sports competition.
He charged schools management to ensure they get the Sports Commission involved in such sporting activities as the commission is interested in being part of recruiting young talents at the grassroots level.
Ikuenobe made the charge at the Interhouse Athletics Competition of Oba Akenzua 11 Secondary School(Junior and Senior), Benin on Wednesday, 19 March.
Highlight of the event, which was spiced by a colourful march past by the different houses – Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple; include cultural dances and music entertainment and other side attractions.
Blue House(aka Lion House), sponsorsed by Lions Club of Benin District 404-A4, emerged overall winners, followed by Purple House, Yellow House and Green House in that order. The winners were decorated with medals(Gold, Silver and Bronze) and awarded certificates.
In an interview on the sidelines of the competition, Elder Sam Eboigbe, who is the patron and sponsor of Yellow House, said: “The competition was an eye opener. It threw up a lot of talents. I greatly align with Barrister Ikuenobe, the Executive Director of the ESSC who advised that such competitions should be made a regular thing and asked the organisers to involve the commission so that they can be abreast of catching young talents”.