With just four days to the kick-off of the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF), the Federal Government is yet to release funds it promised to assist Edo State with, in hosting the multi-sport Games.
A Project Manager in the Media and Communications Sub-Committee of the festival’s Local Organising Committee, Musa Ebomhiana started this on Sunday, March 28, 2021 in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria he noted that in as much as the Edo State Government still remains hopeful the fund would be released, an early release will go a long way in planning.
He said:
“This will ensure smooth planning for the nation’s number one sports fiesta,”
Ebomhiana stated that the importance to have a smooth planning was the reason the state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had requested for the early release of funds last week.
He also said:
“We are taking seriously the promise by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, that money will be released before the commencement of the festival.
“We know and are sure that the Federal Government will not want to disappoint the youths and sports enthusiasts. We believe that it will do the needful.”
Ebomhiana, noted that aside fund, every other thing needed for the successful hosting of the country’s biggest sports event had been put in place by the Edo State Government.
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He said Edo State would be providing the best and most modern sports facilities in the country.
According to the Nation newspaper, the festival official explained that the participants and other visitors would enjoy the hospitable nature of the people of Edo State.
His words:
“The remodelled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin boasts of the best facilities in the country, so also are other centres that will play host to various sports during the festival,”
Furthermore, Ebomhiana said accreditation of sports journalists for the festival would begin on Tuesday.
He said:
“Only journalists with duly-confirmed media organisations will be considered”
The 20th NSF will run from April 2 to April 14.
The NSF was initially scheduled to take place in March 2020, before it suffered several setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
