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Tag: National Sports Festival

  • Edo Government threatens to shut down ongoing National Sports Festival today over lack of funds, support from FG

    Edo Government threatens to shut down ongoing National Sports Festival today over lack of funds, support from FG

    The Governor Obaseki led Edo State Government, hosts of the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin, will shut down the 13-day event by 12 noon Thursday, an official said late Wednesday.

    Musa Ebomhiana, Project Manager with the Media and Communications Sub-Committee of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the decision was necessitated by Federal Government’s refusal to fulfill a promise.

    He said the Federal Government failed to support the state with funds as promised, and the state government had no choice other than shutting down the festival.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this decision was taken aften an emergency meeting of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) headed by the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

    “You can quote me, that we just finished from an emergency meeting of the LOC, and as I speak with you we have decided to shut down the festival by 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday).

    “The decision was arrived at because the Federal Government has reneged on its promise to assist the state with funds.

    “Because of that, we are closing the festival,” Ebomhiana stated.

    He however did not disclosed how the LOC was going to shut down the festival.

    NAN could not get the reaction of the festival organisers, the Main Organising Committee (MOC), to this development as at the time of this report.

    It could not also get the reaction of the festival’s owners, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

    John Joshua-Akanji, an aide of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, however responded immediately he was contacted.

    The Special Assistant on Media to the minister urged NAN to get across to the MOC’s Secretary, Peter Nelson, who could however not be reached.

    NAN reports that Edo had solicited financial support from the Federal Government for it to play host to the other states of the federation and the FCT.

    It had hinged its demand upon the inconveniences brought about by the several postponements of the festival which was earlier billed for March 2020.

    The postponements were as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The rescheduled festival had commenced on April 2 to last till April 14, and if it was shut down on Thursday it would just be in its seventh day.

  • Edo 2020: Every gold medal attracts N1m – Gov. Okowa

    Edo 2020: Every gold medal attracts N1m – Gov. Okowa

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Friday assured the state’s contingent to the 20th National Sports Festival holding in Edo from April 2, that every gold medal won at the festival would attract N1 million reward.

    The governor made the announcement at a pre-departure prayer session for the contingent at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, and restated that the state would continue to reward deserving athletes.

    He reaffirmed that the reward would be a repeat of what the athletes received for medals won at the 19th edition of the festival held in Abuja.

    He said that each silver medal won attracted N500,000 to the athlete while winners of bronze medals received N250,000 for each medal.

    He charged Delta Sports Commission to ensure that members of the team received the best of comfort at the games, adding that the team should avoid any negative incident in Edo.

    “In the last several months, you have gone through trying times that will bring discouragement.

    “But at last, we give God the glory because the 20th National Sports Festival will begin today.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all plans, including the economy of the nation and even sports have been badly affected but we thank God that the National Sports Festival is finally taking off.

    “In the last sports festival the athletes made us very proud as a state, because we were very emphatic in our victory and we didn’t just have victory we actually dominated the games.

    “It appeared that we didn’t have any competitors and I know, as you go to Benin, you must be vigilant and committed with the passion to re-enact our victory in Abuja 2019.

    “The ability to win starts from the inside and you must be passionate about it and you must dream it for it to become a reality.

    “We are not afraid of the numbers that will win, because as many athletes that win shall receive their cash rewards,” he said.

    On the inability of the foreign athletes to attend the festival, the governor said that God used the opportunity to showcase budding talents.

    He urged the athletes to pray and work hard, adding that God would renew their strength and give them the needed energy to excel.
    “Go forth to Edo State to win and to dominate the National Sports Festival.

    “Many states have been preparing to displace you but I am convinced that this cup will return to Delta State because I know the grace of God is with you all.

    “We have continuously won the festival and I know that we will continue to win, and I want to urge you to be confident in yourself and believe in God to lead you to victory,” Okowa said.

    Earlier, Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, had said that Team Delta was ready and fully prepared for the “Edo 2020 Games.
    He assured that the contingent would win the games because of the support and encouragement of Gov. Okowa to the athletes.

    “It is time to go to Benin City for the 20th National Sports Festival that has suffered several postponements, but thank God we are now ready to go.

    “The athletes have suffered so much psychologically, but I know that they are in high spirit and they are well motivated enough to make us proud.

    “As defending champions in Abuja 2019, we won with a total of 352 medals, comprising 163 gold, 88 silver and 101 bronze.

    “This time, due to the several postponements, most of our foreign athletes could not make it because they have qualified to go to the Olympics.

    “In spite of that, Delta will still parade good athletes that will challenge for medals because you have always encouraged us and you have given us all that we need to go and perform well,” the chairman said

  • Gov. Obaseki to receive NSF’s torch of unity April 3

    Gov. Obaseki to receive NSF’s torch of unity April 3

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo will on April 3 receive the torch of unity of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020”, an official said on Monday.

    Philip Shaibu, Chairman of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), in a statement said the torch of unity would arrive in Benin same day.

    “Thereafter, the torch will then be taken on a tour of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    ”It will return to Benin, where the governor is expected to light the festival torch on April 6,” Shaibu, who is also the state’s Deputy Governor, said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 8,000 athletes from the FCT and the 36 states of the federation are expected to participate in the festival.

    The festival had suffered a number of postponements, owing to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will now take place from April 2 to April 14

  • JUST IN: FG postpones National Sports Festival again, new date announced

    JUST IN: FG postpones National Sports Festival again, new date announced

    The 20th National Sports Festival (NSF), originally meant to take place in March 2020 in Benin City, has again been moved from Feb. 14 to Feb. 28.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event tagged “Edo 2020” has now been moved to April.
    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, made the disclosure at a media briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.
    The Feb. 14 to February 28 dates for the multi-sports competition were approved by Extra- Ordinary National Council on Sports (NCS) late last year.
    The minister said the reason for the new date was based on “the science of the virulent nature of the second wave of COVID-19”.
    More details later.
  • National Sports Festival postponed again, new date announced

    National Sports Festival postponed again, new date announced

    The National Council on Sports (NCS) has approved the postponement of the National Sports Festival (NSF) again from Jan. to Feb. 14 – 28, 2021 in Edo State, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Gabriel Aduda, announced in Abuja.

    The Council, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, at an Extra- Ordinary virtual NCS meeting on Tuesday unanimously agreed to the postponement.

    Recall that the ministry had in November announced the postponement of the Festival from Dec. 3 – 18, to Jan. 3 – 17, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the new dates the fourth time the fiesta would be postponed.

    The minister explained to the NCS that the postponement was because of the need to ensure better precautionary measures were taken against COVID-19, bearing in mind the expected influx of holiday makers during the festive period.

    Dare said the ministry, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Host State had all agreed to the postponement, in order to put in place all COVID-19 protocols.

    The Festival tagged ‘EDO 2020’ was originally mooted to hold in March 2020, but was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

  • 2020 National Sports Festival gets new dates

    2020 National Sports Festival gets new dates

    The technical session of National Council on Sports has recommended December 3, 2020 for the opening ceremony of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival, with the closing ceremony holding on Friday December 18th.

    According to the communiqué issued at the end of the Council meeting, it was agreed that the games would open on Thursday December 3rd, opening ceremony scheduled for December 5th , closing ceremony takes place on Thursday December 17th.

    The competition proper is staggered in two phases from December 12th- 16th.

    The communique noted” The Virtual meeting held earlier this year unanimously agreed to host the Festival this year. The Committee of Experts set up during the Virtual meeting made specific recommendations regarding the successful organisation of the 20th National Sports Festival. It has become imperative to tinker with the modus operandi of the Festival”.

    The recommendations are however subject to the buy-in of the PTF and final approval by the President and Commander in – Chief President Mohammadu Buhari.

  • Just In: FG postpones Edo 2020

    Just In: FG postpones Edo 2020

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’ as a precautionary move against the spread of COVID-19.

    The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, announced this on Tuesday via his Twitter handle.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari approves the postponement of the National Sports Festival Edo 2020 as a precautionary move against COVID-19 spread.

    “Following the briefing of Mr. President from myself and the Minister of State for Health on COVID 19, Mr. President approved the immediate postponement of Edo Sports festival to a future date,” he said in a series of tweets.

    The Special Adviser on Media to the minister, John Joshua-Akanji, also confirmed the postponement to NAN in an interview.

    He however stressed that details would be provided later as the minister was still meeting with relevant stakeholders, following his briefing of Mr President.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 20th NSF was scheduled to kick off on Sunday at the newly-renovated Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

    The competition, which was last held in December 2018 in Abuja and now billed to hold at the stadium and 16 other venues in Benin, was expected to end on April 1.

  • NSF: Schools in Edo to go on 10-day break

    NSF: Schools in Edo to go on 10-day break

    Edo Governnent has directed all public and private schools in the state to proceed on a 10-day break ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF) being hosted by the state.

    In a statement signed by Commissioner for Education, Jimoh Ijegbai, the schools were expected to commence their holidays on March 23 and resume on April 1.

    Ijegbai however said the second term vacation would be from April 9, while the schools would resume for the third academic term on Monday, April 27.

    He said that the break was to enable students, teachers and parents to be among spectators during the festival.

  • Edo 2020: MOC, LOC to inspect facilities, venues

    Edo 2020: MOC, LOC to inspect facilities, venues

    The Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’ will on Friday jointly inspect facilities for the Festival.

    Blessing Lere-Adams, the Chairman of MOC’s Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    She said the joint inspection, being the final one, would be all-encompassing.

    “Facilities to be inspected include sports venues, hostel accommodation, medical centres and others that would ensure a successful Festival.’’

    Lere-Adams said both the Federal Government and Edo Government have intensified their synergy to ensure a world-class Festival.

    She said the Edo government was leaving no stone unturned in ensuring state-of-the-art modern sports facilities were put in place for the Festival.

    “It’s been authenticated that, as at today, all facilities are 95 per cent completed. Edo is highly commended for this milestone commitment and that is a testimony to the expected success of the festival.

    “The FG, on the other hand, had been working round the clock to plug any loose end in all facets of the festival.

    “Of course, we are all aware that the MOC Chairman, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Gabriel Aduda, alongside the Minister, Sunday Dare, have been on their toes in this regard,” Lere-Adams said.

    She disclosed that, as part of preparations for the Festival, several Joint Technical Meetings, involving all state Directors of Sports, the ministry’s Zonal Coordinators, sport icons and stakeholders, had been held.

    Lere-Adams, who is the ministry’s Director of Press, said the Festival’s Games Village which would host about 11,500 athletes is scheduled to open from March 20 and close on April 2.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 20th NSF will hold from March 22 to April 1 in the newly-renovated Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and 16 other venues in Benin.

  • NSF: We’re 95 per cent ready, says Edo Govt

    NSF: We’re 95 per cent ready, says Edo Govt

    Edo Government says it is 95 per cent ready for the hosting of National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “Edo 2020”, scheduled for between March 22 and April 1, in Benin City.

    Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Chairman, Edo Sports Commission, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Benin on Tuesday.

    “We are prepared; I can assure you that we are 95 per cent prepared. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which is main venue is almost completed.

    “The tracks and lane are being marked. All utilities are being put in place; the swimming pool has gone through test run.

    “We are in the final stage of cleaning up the indoor sports hall, the former South-South Gymnasium Hall, which has been acquired by the state government from federal government.

    “The hall was used in hosting the just concluded Edo Sports Festival.

    “The Imaguero college hall is in shape, Idia college hall is in good shape too, the new Era College is ultra modern. The University of Benin is undergoing renovation,” he said.

    He assured that games village at the University of Benin will be opened on March 20 ahead of the festival.