Ahead of the 4th Edo State Sports Festival, the management of the State Sports Commission, has opened talks with United Bank For Africa (UBA), for possibility of collaboration and sponsorship deal for the sports fiesta.
247nextnews.com reports that the Edo State Sports Festival 2025 is scheduled to hold in Benin City, the State capital, from April 21 to May 1, 2025.
Led by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Amadin Enabulele, the Sports Commission management officially approached the Regional Manager of the financial institution Giant, Isede Osagie, on Monday, March 17, 2025.
During the meeting, Enabulele who described UBA as one of the most reliable banks in the country, informed Mr. Osagie of their wish to form partnership and sponsorship deal for the Sports Festival with the Bank.
“We are here to seek your commitment in sponsoring the Sports Festival. We need your full support, as this event will help discover and nurture young talents in Edo State,” he said.
The Edo Sports Commission boss stressed the importance of private partnerships in sports development and how such collaborations can drive the process of growth and sustainable development in the sector.
He added that his Board will explore all avenues for partnership with corporate organizations in the State in their quest to take sports development to the next level in the state.
In his remarks, the UBA Regional Manager, Isede Osagie, acknowledged an existing relationship between UBA and Edo State.
He noted that the incumbent State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Emmanuel Okoebor, was UBA’s immediate past Regional Manager.
“This connection shows there is already a working partnership. We will look at the proposal and communicate the next steps,” he assured.
Other key stakeholders at the meeting included the Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations, Mrs. Sabina Chikere; the Executive Director, Marketing and Sponsorship Frank Ilaboya; Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) Executive Director; and Gideon Ukpiebo, member, Marketing and Media Committee for the Sports Festival.