BENIN CITY – Governor Godwin Obaseki today lit up sports festival torch in Benin to signal the final stage of Government readiness for the hosting of the 3rd Edo State Sports festival.

In a brief ceremony held in government house, Benin, the Governor remarked that it was his pleasure and honour to light up the Edo 2020 Sports Festival Torch.

He immediately handed over the torch to the state Deputy Governor Rt Hon Philip Shaibu who also transfered same to the state sports commission chairman, Barr Dudu Orumen who leads the sports team on the tour of the state with the festival flame.

According to the sports commission boss,the torch will be taken round the 18 Local Government of the state, beginning from today at Akoko-Edo,Etsako East , Agenibode and Etsako Central. The tour continues in Etsako West,Owan East and round off Edo North tour in Sabogida-Ora,Owan West Local Government Area tomorrow, Thursday.

The festival torch bearers would continue their journey on Wednesday next week (January 22)in Edo central,starting with Esan South East,Igueben and Esan North East and begin day two in Esan Central, Esan West and conclude in Uhumwode.

The torch is expected to enter Edo South on Wednesday, January 29 in Orhinmwon and pass through Ikpoba-Okha LGA to continue in Ovia Northeast and South West LGAs on Wednesday, February 5,2020.

The torch is expected to pass through Egor and return to Oredo Local Government Area to herald the commencement of the games on Monday 10.

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All the Local Government chairmen are expected to receive the torch and the state team respectively.

The Nigerian ObserverSports reports that the state sports festival is scheduled to begin February 10 and will close February 16_2020.

The games,according to the sports commission chairman is designed to fully test sports facilities and prepare the state athletes and as well confirm the readiness of the state for the 2020 National Sports Festival to be staged in Benin,between March 20th and April 4th,2020.

The last Edo state sports festival held in 2001 after the maiden one in 1981.

Governor Godwin Obaseki has continued to display his administration ‘s determination to truly reactivate the Edo Sports sector with massive sports infrastructure being put on ground ahead of the National Sports Festival.

The ObserverSports can confidently report that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which is the major venue for the sports festival is currently receiving finishing touches.