Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu’s immense contributions to sports development got another international recognition on Monday as the football governing body in the world, FIFA, invite him to the 72ⁿᵈ FIFA Congress slated for March 31 and the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on April 1, 2022.
A letter of invitation sent to Shaibu by FIFA Guest Operations read, “Football, the world’s most esteemed and beloved sport, is also a constantly evolving one. We are delighted to bring together the 72nd FIFA Congress and the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 for an unforgettable and very special occasion.
“On behalf of FIFA, it is our great pleasure to invite you to the 72nd FIFA Congress at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on March 31, 2022. Then, on April 1, 2022, it will be our privilege to welcome you to the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as we discover the paths qualified teams will take in pursuit of global football’s ultimate prize. We look forward to welcoming you to Doha.”
A gold medalist in football at the last National Sports Festival, Shaibu’s passion for all sports including golf strain the descriptive power of many adjectives.
Apart from being the only State Executive to win an NSF medal, Shaibu also invests his personal resources in the career of many sportsmen and women examples include Enoch Adegoke who he took from nowhere to the finals of the men’s 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Speaking against the backdrop of the Deputy Governor’s invitation to FIFA Congress and Draw, Yussuf Alli, the Executive Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission said the invitation is a huge opportunity for Edo State Deputy Governor to rub shoulders with global leaders in sports, not just football.
Alli said the ideas Shaibu will return with from Qatar will go a long in enriching the state knowledge bank in her quest to fulfill His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki’s mandate that the state must produce 10,000 athletes annually,
“My Deputy Governor does not see sports as an end in itself but as a means to an end especially youths engagement and empowerment, promotion of tourism, boosting the local industries and others. Despite being a walking encyclopedia on sports he is always willing to learn more. I am positive that the recognition by FIFA is an opportunity for him to learn new things and network with decision-makers in sports at the global level, this will ensure that our excellent world-class facilities which the state is taking pains in putting in place are used in the way, with the right programs to benefit Edo State and Nigeria.”
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