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The Governor of Edo
State, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday, commissioned the FIFA-standard
2-Star turf of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.

Present at the
commissioning were former members of Nigeria’s senior national football
team, the Super Eagles, including Daniel Amokachi and Austin Okocha.
Oshiomhole had noted at the inception of his administration the pitch
and other facilities at the stadium were dilapidated and given their
condition could not attract international matches. “Stakeholders,
football administrators and players were unanimous that we needed to
have a completely new pitch,” he said. “This new pitch is not only
beautiful; it is user-friendly and minimizes the potentials of injuries
to footballers.” The governor restated the commitment of his
administration to the revival of sports and football in the state. “Our
performance in sports has long been a heritage of Edo State, we have
produced sporting administrators and legends,” he said. He appealed to
the private sector to assist the state government in its quest to
restore the lost sports glory of the state.

Showering praise

Speaking on behalf
of the players, Amokachi said: “We know who you are and what you are
doing in Edo State. When I landed at the airport this morning, I saw
the massive road development you are working on. This turf is another
testimony of what you are doing. I pray God to grant you the strength
to conclude the good works you are doing.” Okocha also described
Oshiomhole as “an active governor with a vision and a mission.”

Earlier, the Edo State Commissioner for Sports, Anita Evbuomwan,
said the construction of the pitch is one of the most important
developments in the state, stressing the determination of the
Oshiomhole’s administration to develop sporting infrastructure for the
use of professional and amateur sportsmen and women. The high point of
the ceremony were two novelty matches. The first was between the
executive arm of government, captained by Oshiomhole versus the State
House of Assembly, captained by Bright Omokhodion; while the second
involved former Eagles and Bendel Insurance FC.