Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, says sports facilities in the state are being remodelled to accommodate various games during the 2020 National Sports Festival in the state to ensure smooth hosting of the sporting event.
Obaseki disclosed this at the weekend in Benin during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung after the national council of sport meeting.
He explained that adjustments have been made on all the sporting facilities being built by the state government, to ensure the facilities are fit for hosting of the National Sports Festival in 2020.
According to him, he has secured assurances from contractors that some of the facilities to be used for the games will be test-run by October or November this year.
“We will do everything to justify the confidence reposed in us as a state. We have begun to revamp all our sporting facilities in the state,” the governor said.
He said the security and other logistics were being put in place ahead of the games to ensure that participants have a memorable stay.
“Edo is the home of culture and we have so much to show and display to the world. This is the home of sports in the country. As a state, we understand our role in the history of sports in Nigeria. Some of our leaders contributed to establishing the National Sports Festival to promote nation-building,” he said.
On his part, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Dalung, urged the state government to pay more attention to developing traditional sports.
The role of traditional sports is amazing. We encourage and challenge Edo people to present new sporting activities. We will be interested in developing such sports, it will go a long way to enhance national unity.”
