Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki said Yusuf Alli has not disappointed him as the Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC) executive chairman.
Speaking during the reception for Edo Queens who won the NWFL last week, Obaseki said Alli is a reliable, decent, and trustworthy sports administrator with a proven strong character and financial discipline
“I don’t waste time in approving his memos because I know he is not going to steal the money and I will always consider his request promptly because I trust him,” Obaseki said.
The Governor also commended Alli’s commitment to sports development especially school sports and sports development at the grassroots level.
Alli who holds national long record record for over 30 years is a product of school sports. During his time as an athlete he showed leadership quality and on several occasions captained Team Nigeria to many Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and All-Africa Games.
Over the years he has proven to be an astute sports administrator and with the backing of Governor Obaseki, he has been able to take sports to a higher level in Edo State.
The victory of Edo Queens in the just concluded NWFL is just one of the many firsts that Alli and the team have achieved under the leadership of Obaseki.
He has also made it possible for Bendel Insurance to remain competitive in the Nigeria Premier League Football.
Alli attributed the giant strides his team has achieved in the last few years to the financial, moral, and other support they are receiving from the amiable Governor of Edo State, Obaseki.
Meanwhile Edo State sports stakeholders have called for the extension of Mr. Alli’s stay as ESSC executive chairman.
“Yusuf Alli is the right man to be in charge of Edo Sports we want him to continue in the next administration,” said Princess Mabel Madojiemu a former 400m runner and sponsor of the Mabel Madojiemu Athletics Championships for schools in Edo State.
“He is humble, honest and hard working and he is taking Edo Sports in the right direction.”
Former national record holder in the 400m hurdles Maria Osifo added.
“It’s people like Yusuf that should be running Nigerian sports.
“He has proven to be a good administrator, he had always gone out of his way to make things run effectively we need him to be in charge in next administration.
“Look at how well maintained the Samuel Ogbemudia is, it is still as good as when it was Commissioned in 2020 for the National Sports Festival.”