KADUNA, North-West, Nigeria – The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Adesola Olusade, has commended the level of preparation for the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival billed for Edo in 2020.
Olusade who is also the Chairman Main Organising Committee assured that the Ministry is well on course in doing its part towards organizing a. hitch-free event.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State and Chairman Local Organising Committee, Rt. Hon. Philip Shuiabu said for the first time in the history of the NSF, all activities shall be digitalised.
He made this disclosure at the 2nd and final joint technical meeting in Benin City, where he said that the aim is to ensure National unity, trust, peace and friendliness, which according to him is the universal aim of all sporting activities.
While speaking, the Permanent Secretary also said that the Ministry is well on course in doing its part towards the actualization of “Edo 2020”.
“Haven undertaken another round of inspection of the venues and facilities earmarked for the games, the extent of work that has gone into the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium must be commended”, Olusade lauded.
He stressed on the need for robust interface between the MOC and the LOC, as well as their relevant Sub-Committee, saying that the synergy would lead to timely attainment of mandate of the Games.
On her part ,the Secretary, Main Organising Committee, Mrs Hauwa-Kulu Aķinyemi, disclosed that since the last Joint Technical Meeting in Benin City, Edo State, the Committee has undertaken some activities towards the actualization of the Games of the 2oth National Sports Festival.
The activities includes; confirmation of events in each sports, Online Accreditation Training for States’ Desk Officers, Online Registration of Participants, Flag off of Movement of Touch of Unity amongst others.
She also declared that the MOC on it part is steadfast in the implementation of the remaining activities on the timeline for the festival as scheduled.
The Deputy Governor who represented the Executive Governor, of Edo, Gaius Obaseki explained that, “this is not the first time the state is hosting such event, but Edo 2020 is unique in the sense that everything about the event is going to be digitalised”.
According to him, the state in its bid to develop sports in the state has decided to build a standard stadium each in all the geopolitical zones of the State and 20 mini stadiums across the state.
”The Government’s goal is aimed at making Nigeria the biggest black nation through sports. There was also a an agreed decision to include three extra sports of golf, canoeing and rowing and traditional sports.