The Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, on Sunday in Benin, said that there would be no automatic shirt for any athlete in the state at the upcoming 20th National Sports Festival.
Browsing: National Sports Festival
The National Council on Sports on Wednesday said it has upgraded five sports to medal-winning events at the National Sports Festival effective from the 2020 edition in Benin, Edo State.
The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has said the six years gap created by the inability to host the National Sports Festival threw up a succession gap in the athletes representing the country at Continental and International Games.
Determined to dethrone both Delta and Rivers at the next National Sports festival in 2020, Edo Government plans to hold its mini sports festival in August.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has been counting the gains of the just concluded 19th National Sports Festival held in Abuja.
The 19th edition of the National Sports Festival on Sunday came to an end at the Abuja National Stadium with Delta State finishing top of the table with an unprecedented 342 medals, relegating the likes of Rivers, Edo and Lagos State to the first, second runners-up and fourth positions respectively.
President Muhammadu Buhari will headline the dignitaries expected at a colourful closing ceremony of the 19th National Sports Festival billed for the Abuja National Stadium on Sunday.
Defending champions, Delta, have continued to show dominance on the 19th National Sports Festival with 256 medals.
Ajayi Olubode, the Head Coach of Ekiti State Table Tennis Association, on Saturday described the performance of home-based players in the 19th National Sports Festival as amazing.
Some team officials and athletes at the ongoing 19th National Sports Festival say increased allowances to athletes by states they represent will surely enhance performances at the Festival’s future editions.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, says four states at the moment have submitted applications as prospective hosts for subsequent National Sports Festival.
Number four seed Timothy Olatunji of Ogun on Friday defeated number three seed Mesharih Abah from Bauchi State 4-0 in the table tennis competition of the 19th National Sports Festival.
Nigerian table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, says if she qualifies for Tokyo Olympics in 2020, she will go down in history as the only female in Africa to participate in seven Olympics.
Dalung, who briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that in total, 8861 delegates were expected.
Okowa, during the prayer session at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, pledged to give the team N1 million for every gold it won at the event.
Edo athletes on Tuesday shut the gates of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, venue of the state’s training camp for the 19th National Sports Festival, against their coaches and other workers at the sports arena.
Olisakwe, who alongside Divine Oduduru, ThankGod Igbube and Victor Peka won the medal in Addis Ababa, said he had resumed training and working hard to ensure that 2019 would be a good year for him.
Ekiti State’s Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday received the Torch of Unity for the 19th National Sports Festival, pledging to support the state contingent in their preparations for the competition.
The General Manager of Ekiti Sports Council, Ayodeji Samo, has warned the state contingent to the forthcoming National Sports Festival to keep away from illicit drugs.
The Commissioner for Sports in Abia State, Dr. Martins Okoji, says Team Abia will compete in 22 games at the National Sports Festival holding in Abuja from December 6.