*Obaseki, Shaibu commend Bendel Insurance performance after draw with Kwara United*

*_…as Benin Arsenal leads NPFL table with unbeaten record after 13 games_*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended the performance of Bendel Insurance Football Club as the team ended Match Day 13 against visiting Kwara United with a draw.

The governor who was joined by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Chief of Staff, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha; Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi, and Deputy National Youth leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, among other top state government officials, said he was excited with the performance of the team.

“It was an exciting game which the home team ought to have won as they dominated the game and showed more superiority, but were not lucky in terms of goals. We were not as fortunate as we expected to be,” he said.

Obaseki continued, “They have done well. This is their 13th match that they are unbeaten. They drew at home but we expected them to win but their performance was encouraging. The idea today is to invite Edo State citizens to come out and support their home team and recreate that culture of coming out to watch matches.

“We are not wrong in choosing sports as our priority back in 2016 when we were campaigning. I said sports will be a major area of focus and that the Deputy Governor will lead our initiative in sports. Thank God we did not make a mistake as these facilities were not in existence in 2016 in this form but today we have world class facilities that can host world events. Our priority is to put this facility to use, ensuring we host more events here.

“The tartan tracks you are standing on are certified and have the same quality of tracks used in the last Olympics. Our priority now is to get our citizens to take advantage of the investment we have made in sports and utilize these facilities and encourage school sports to catch our children young and also to encourage them to do more sporting activities.

“That was why I attended inter-house sports activities for primary school. We will do more of this to let parents know that it’s important to keep our children physically, mentally and spiritually fit.”

On his part, the State Deputy Governor, said, “We expected Bendel Insurance to win today’s match having defeated Kwara United at home but out of six points we had four. It is not bad as we remain unbeaten, we would have wanted a win but a draw is not bad.

“The governor has given us a target and mandate for Bendel Insurance to play in intercontinental games. The starting point is to win the league and super six. With this draw, it’s clear that we have qualified for super six. Our focus now is to prepare for super six and meet the target the governor gave us.”

*PHOTO CAPTION*

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left), with his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, during the Bendel Insurance Football Club Match Day 13 against visiting Kwara United, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Bendel insurance has been the best team so far.

But insurance are drawing games of late, if am not mistaken they have drawn the last 3 or 4 games given them 7 wins and 6 draws.