OSAS EMMANUEL
No fewer than 14000 Youth Athletes from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, will be competing in over 30 different sports, including football, basketball, wrestling, among others at the National Sports Festival holding in Delta State.
Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, who disclosed this in his office in Abuja, expressed optimism that at the end of the competition, new sets of athletes will emerge that will compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
“I am optimistic that at the end of the competition, budding talents will emerge and the country will witness more podium performances through them in subsequent global competitions,” he said
The Minister commended the Delta State Government for its dogged determination towards ensuring the reality of Delta 2022 and also for providing our teeming youths with the opportunity to showcase their sporting talents.
While stressing that the Games will also help in strengthening the unity of Nigerians, Dare called on participating states to go all out for medals.
He, therefore, called on all sports-loving Nigerians to create time to grace the festival, saying that the National Sports Festival is the “Nigerian Olympics”.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC), and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, said that Delta 2022 provides an avenue for uniting Nigerians.
He stated further that the Festival will also inspire the next generation towards developing their sporting potentials, in line with the theme, “Uniting Nigerians, Inspiring The Next Generations”.
Also speaking, the Secretary, MOC and Director, National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department of the Ministry, Mr Peter Nelson, assured that athletes and officials from the 36 states of the Federation, including the FCT have commenced movement to Asaba, Venue of the Sports Festival.
