BENIN CITY- The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 20th National Sports Festival, (NSF), has asserted the readiness of Edo State to host the 35 states including Abuja to a mesmeric games, starting with the opening and closing ceremonies.
Making this assertion on behalf of the LOC, Chairman, Sub -committee, Communication and Publicity, Mr. Tony Akiotu stated that the sporting fiesta which runs with the theme, “Legacy Games, ” is meant to give sports lovers a wonderful sporting experience with mesmerizing artistic performances at the opening and closing ceremonies which re-enforces Edo as the home of culture and tradition.
He assured the sporting public that Edo 2020 will be a reference point in national sporting festivals at the end of the games, adding that the era of cheating is over for good. ” if you must win a medal, you must have been seen to have won clean. A lot of technology will be put in place and all eyes will be on the states’ coaching crew and officials”.
He revealed that the ultimate aim of hosting the games at this auspicious time, featuring 33 sports, is to win160 gold medals clean, adding that Edo State has invested so much in massive renovations, upgraded facilities and deployment and use of technology.
He maintained that the state was not just hosting but hosting to win clean and bequeth massive infrastructure in the sporting arenas for the continued use.
The upgrade in infrastructures at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and sporting arena at the University of Benin and other selected public secondary schools he said, has already cost one billion naira.
Nonetheless, he announced the extension of entries for the games mascot by two weeks to allow for more entries with the prize offer of one million Naira going to the eventual winner.
He said the body of professional musicians in Edo State has been commissioned to compose a befitting theme song for the sporting fiesta to help reflect ‘Edo State as the home of culture.’
The ambassador/face of the sports festival he noted, would be revealed in due course. The games start March 22 and run through April 2, 2020.
