Team Edo will not settle for crumbs - Director, Sports Development Operations, Edo State, Sabrina Chikere

...Eyes top spot finish at the Festival

...Applauds Edo State Government for unfaltering support

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Abeokuta

The Executive Director of Sports Development Operations in Edo State, Sabrina Chikere, strongly believes that Team Edo will secure a top spot finish at the 22nd National Sports Festival tagged, Gateway Games.

The Executive Director gave this assurance on Saturday in an exclusive interview with your authoritative and award-winning news channel, FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG .

“Cricket we got the male and female gold, in Para Athletics and Athletics we got some gold, in kick boxing we got the gold medal too, the medals are increasing and we are hopeful that by the end of the festival we will be where we said we will be on the medal table.”

Mrs. Chikere stated that she remains hopeful and is confident in the high quality of Team Edo athletes and their determination to win.

“We are still hoping events are still going on, even though some have but there are still other sporting events so we are still hopeful we are happy that today we won some medals to add to our coffers.”

She added that Team Edo is not in the art and cultural centre, Ogun State for jokes, emphasizing that the team will return home with something to present before the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo.

“We will definitely be at the top of the medal table, between the first and the third if not first, we are working towards that and I'm very hopeful and optimistic that we will have something to go back home with.”

Mrs. Sabrina Chikere panegyrized the Edo State Governor, stating that the successes recorded by the Edo State athletes could not have been possible without his resolute support to sports in the state.

“The support from the state government has been beautiful, the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo has been very supportive, we had all we wanted in terms of preparation, the athletes were camped, they got everything they needed to come to the Festival.

“He promised the Team, on the day we were leaving that every medalist will be rewarded bountifully. And we will definitely make them proud.”

She appealed to the Governor to continue to support sports in the state to place the Heartbeat of the Nation in the heart of sports in Nigeria.

She also had some nice words for the Gateway State, the organisers of the National Sports Festival, stated that the facilities at the sports feast are of high quality.

“Kudos to the organisers, the Ogun State government, it's not easy hosting the National Sports Festival, we Edo State hosted it in 2020 so we can tell from experience that it's not an easy task, it's ok, they tried their best.”

Mrs Chikere however noted that distance between venues leaves much to be desired by all the various contingents at the Festival. Some athletes have missed their events due to some poor transport arrangements.

“The only challenge is the venues scattered all around, coming from Babcock University, Abeokuta for events especially those that are in the morning, is very hectic, that is our only challenge.”

Team Edo are currently in the top five spot at the sports feast with 115 medals in the bag.

✓19 gold

✓ 49 silver

✓ 47 bronze

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