The Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele on Thursday inaugurated a 9-man Board for Edo State Baseball and Softball Association with a charge to develop the games from the grassroots level.
The newly inaugurated board has Prince Imonikhe John Peter as chairman with Mrs Caroline Odion Shodunola as the Vice Chairman.
Other members of the board include Mr Iyamu Gabriel Orobosa,,Ada Aitalegbe(Mental Health Consultant),Mrs Yinka Fabunmi and Mercy Ivie Oside. Others are Simpa Aaron (Technical), Mr Osahon Osayamwen(Media) and Obaraye Osakpamwan.
The appointment of.the board members was officially approved by the Edo State sports Commission chairman Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele on August 11 with Prince Imonikhe John Peter as chairman.
Inaugurating the executive board,Hon Enabulele charged the chairman and members to continue with the catch- them-young principle and hard work which earned them the respect of the sports Commission.
He said that the Edo State Sports Commission carefully selected the members of the board on the conviction that they are men and women with proven character and integrity in the sports sector.
”Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in our collective journey to strengthen and elevate the standard of sports in our state.
As chairman of your association, you carry a big responsibility. I urge you to actively explore sponsorship opportunities that will sustain and propel the growth of your association. Financial support is the lifewire of sustainable sports development and through partnerships and sponsorships, we can provide the much-needed resources to nurture our athletes and advance our programmes.
Equally important is accessibility. As leaders, you must make yourselves available to athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders. Your guidance, encouragement, and presence will foster unity;strengthen teamwork, and create a culture of accountability and progress.
To ensure consistent growth and effective monitoring, we are instituting quarterly appraisal meetings between the Commission Board Members and Association members. These sessions will give us the opportunity to review our performance and achievements as well as to address challenges, and design strategies that will guarantee continued success.”
” Let me commend the chairman of the Edo baseball-softball association and the coaches for the good job they have already done.
I can recall the exceptional skills and performances of the junior team at the zonal elimination games in Uyo. I was amazed and impressed with the performance of the kids.
When I visited the team in Uyo I was speechless when I saw athletes within the age bracket of 7 and 8 years involved in the game. With that I am convinced that the future is bright. Catching them young is what we want in Edo state.”
”Developing sports from the grassroots is one of the charges Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo gave us at the Edo State Sports Commission and I urge you to continue in that direction.” Enabulele emphasized.
The newly inaugurated chairman of Edo State Baseball and softball association Prince Imonikhe John Peter expressed appreciation to the Governor of Edo State Senator Monday Okpebholo and the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele for the confidence they have in him and other members of the board.
He said that the appointment is not just an honour but a call to duty.
” As we assume duty, I pledge to work closely with the Sports Commission and the state government to take the sports to a greater height. I promise that my board will establish a befitting Baseball Park in Edo state and spread baseball and softball to gain ground in the three senatorial districts of the state with regular coaching clinics for the game masters among other things,” he assured.