Yusuf Alli… A ‘smooth operator’ comes to Edo sports commission

For about a decade, Yusuf Alli was the ‘commander-in-chief’ in African athletics, particularly in the long jump event, setting records as if there were no tomorrow.

Apart from being a three-time Olympian, Alli is best remembered for his gold medal at Auckland ‘90 Commonwealth Games.

Till date, his Personal Best of 8.27 metres, which he set in 1989 during the African Athletics Championships in Lagos, still stands as Nigerian record. He also holds school records for the long jump – both indoor and outdoor (set in 1984 and 1983) respectively for the University of Missouri in the United States.

Alli was African captain, longest Nigeria captain, Technical Director of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and Manager, COJA Committee for the 8th All African Games held in Abuja in 2003.

Now, Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Yusuf Alli says his mission is to make Edo sports as a destination point in Africa and the World.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Alli said: “Sports in Edo state is facing a massive positive turnaround by the government in terms of the provision of world class facilities, which aims to not only increase the interest of the state citizens in sports, but also to encourage private sector participation.

“It is also the wish of the government to see that Edo state becomes a major sports destination for Nigeria and the world while also working to turn sports into a viable business venture the way it is in the developed world. This perfectly mirrors my vision for sports in Edo states and having a government that shares this visions, makes it’s realisation not too difficult,” he stated.

Governor Godwin Obaseki inaugurated the Yusuf Alli-led Edo Sports Commission board last week as part of his desires to