The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori has condoled with the family of the late Dr Awoture Eleyae, over the passing away of the former Secretary-General of Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA).
The governor’s condolence is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, on Saturday in Asaba.
Oborevwori acknowledged the late Eleyae’s roles in strengthening the country’s sports administration, adding that he left behind an indelible mark on the nation’s development trajectory.
“The deceased, who designed the National Institute for Sports (NIS), became its first Principal from 1975 to 1984.
“As National Chief Track and Athletics Coach, the late Eleyae captained the Nigerian Basketball team to the first All African Games in 1965.”
“He led the Nigerian team as athletics coach to several Olympic games. He was a Director-General, National Sports Commission and later became Chairman of Bendel State Sports Council and Chairman, National Sports Award Committee.”
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I condole with the entire Eleyae family, the people of Uzere Kingdom, Isoko nation and the global sports community on the passing of the legendary Dr Awoture Eleyae.”
“The Dr Awoture Eleyae Athletics Championship in Delta State instituted in his honour has continued to produce great athletes, including Ese Brume, Divine Oduduru, Usheoritse Itsekiri and Raymond Ekevwo, among others,” he added.
Late Eleyae, who died on Friday at the age of 96, in Benin City, Edo State hailed from Uzere in Isoko South Local Government Area of the State. He was described as a sports scholar and administrator par excellence whose contributions to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria and Africa would not be forgotten.
He was a member of many International professional bodies, whose pet project, Awoture Eleyae’s U-14, U-15 and U-17 Athletics competitions in Ozoro, led to the discovery of many Nigerian talents, including Ese Brume, Divine Oduduru and Favour Ofili between 2013 and 2014.
Late Dr Awoture Eleyae was serving as a National Chief Track and Field Athletics coach, he captained the Nigerian Basketball team to the first All Africa Games in 1965. He also designed the Nigerian Institute for Sports (NIS), and became the first Principal of the Institute from 1975 to 1984, where he rose to the substantive post of Deputy Director of Sports, National Sports Commission (NSC) and also acted as Director General of the Commission from February 1981 to May, 1982.
The Nigerian 4x100m relay team and their counterparts from four other African countries, including Cameroon, Niger Republic and Mali will feature in this year’s Warri Relays, on Thursday in Asaba, Delta state.
According to the Head Coach of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Seigha Porbeni, The event would be used to honour former Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA), Dr. Awoture Eleyae.
Porbeni said: “We are holding a three in one athletics event on July 27 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba to honour the late Dr. Awoture Eleyae for his contributions to sports in Nigeria and the entire African continent.
“Apart from about five African countries coming for the 4x100m and 4x400m relay events, we have directed all secondary schools in all the three senatorial districts of Delta State to produce three teams to compete in the 4x100m, 4x400m and mixed relays. The event is holding in Asaba instead of Warri Stadium because of renovation work going there.”
