By Olukayode Abimbola Thomas
The Executive Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki has commended the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission (ESSC) Yussuf Alli for his honesty, integrity, and commitment to sports development.
Speaking during the reception for victorious Edo Queens that won the NWFL last week Obaseki said Alli is reliable, decent, and trustworthy.
Obaseki described Alli as a 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.”
The Governor also commends Alli’s commitment to sports development especially school sports and sports development at the grassroots level.
A product of school sports who won the gold medal at the Athletics World Cup, the gold medal at the World Universities Games, and the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games Alli with the backing of Governor Obaseki 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.
A long jumper cum sprinter who is the holder of the national record in the event for about four decades, Alli was also captain of Team Nigeria to many Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and All-Africa Games.
A former Vice-President and Technical Director of AFN, the flame of marathon and road races that is burning in Nigeria today was lit by Alli when he started the Aba Marathon some years ago.
Alli also nurtured the Okpekpe 10-kilometer Road Races sponsored by Mike Itemuagbor and the Lagos City Marathon from infancy to win the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Races.
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, whose door is always for the ESSC.
