From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The deputy governor of Edo State, Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa, says the Monday Okpebhol-led administration will foster unity across the different ethnic groups of the state through the instrumentality of sports.
He noted that sports have gone beyond mere competivenes, but as a means to productively engage the mind and body to promote sound health, in addition to being a source of livelihood.
The stated this when he led sports men and women, including the state sports commission chairman, Desmond Enabulele, to celebrate this year’s Olympic Day which had as it theme: “Let’s Move Together for Health and Community.”
in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Saturday.
“Engaging in sport fortifies both our mind and body, promoting robust health and well-being”, Idahosa disclosed in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo.
“It compels us to strive for excellence and fuel our aspirations. Sports ignite our dreams, disseminate joy, and foster unity among us.
“Olympic Day consistently cultivates connections and solidarity. This is the profound essence of sport; it inspires us to be active, elicit the best within us, nurtures our health, and unites us as friends and a community, regardless of our locations or the forms of movement we choose.
“When we partake in sport, we embody our new Olympic motto: Faster, Higher, Stronger-Together”, the deputy governor added.
In his address, Enabulele who declared the Olympic day run open, used the opportunity to propose a “Governor’s Fitness Day,” which he stated would take place every third Saturday of the month.
He said the day would be scripted along the line of the Olympic Day, which is “not just about running but about fitness, unity, and togetherness.
“It is a reminder that sports belong to everyone regardless of age, background, or ethnicity.”
Enabulele commended partners and sponsors of the event, and athletes whose presence he stated, was a testament to their commitment to health, sportsmanship, and unity.
Amongst the star athletes that participated in the run were Nigerian swimmer, Rachael Tonjor, who competed in the women’s 100 metre “Breast stroke” event at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics and Isaac Ikhuoria, a 1972 Summer Olympics Bronze metalist in Boxing.
The Olympic Day celebration saw the participants run through some major streets in Benin and back to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Olympic Day is a globally recognised annual event that commemorates the founding of the modern Olympic Movement by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.