BENIN CITY- With a 26 day countdown to hosting of the 20th Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) billed for March 22 to April 1, 2020, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peculiar Ultimate Concept, Engr Adeleke Olanrewaju yesterday assured of meeting with infrastructural timelines.
Speaking at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the main event site for the National Sports Festival, Engineer Adeleke upheld that with the ninety five (95%) percent completed work structures at site, “We are keeping with timelines.
By March 13, 2020, we would be done with the facilities, we would just be doing cleaning up. What we are left with is the gym which is going on at a fast pace. It is the main construction work going on now and it should be ready by March 7, 2020.”
Speaking on the readiness for use of the games village at the University of Benin hostel the site engineer noted that students were sent home on February 20, 2020, to make way for proper renovation ahead of the games in order to give a four week period for completion of work.
Nonetheless he maintained that the company’s programme of work was tied to a three week timeline to meet with set target. Lodging facility, he said would be ready for athletes use a week before time.
Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Barr. Godwin Dudu- Orumen talking on readiness for use of facilities for the sports festival attested that the indoor facilities at government owned schools were in shape and ultramodern. Lodging facility of the University of Benin he said, needed minor cleanup. Practice centres and pitches across some designated public secondary schools he maintained were in shape despite the rain.
He noted that Edo State was ready to deliver on its set promise for delivery of a special 20th National Sports Festival. He reinstated that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was of Olympic standard. Also, equipment have started arriving hence no cause for alarm. The games village he avowed would be open and ready for use by March 20, 2020.
The Nigerian Observer newspaper however observed that the tartan track was ready for use though the lanes were yet to be mapped out. The Olympic size swimming pool is almost set for use. As at the time of the inspection of site, workers were carrying out minor cleanup of the swimming facility.
However, the pool had it’s aesthetic appeal as it was brimming with water. The pool is said to have a maximum depth of 6metres and shallow end of 1.5 metres. The training pool is also ready for use.
Sitting arrangement is at an optimal stage at the outdoor courts though some critical last minute touches still need to be put in place to complete the overall job.
