By Anne Azuka
President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the host, Delta State, for its worthy lead role in sports development in the country.
Buhari stated this while formally declaring Open the 21st Edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) amid colourful celebrations held at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba.
Buhari, represented at the occasion by the Minister of Youth and Sports minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, said it was the ready availability of sports infrastructure that enabled the state host the ongoing festival.
He said the sports infrastructure would enhance the tempo and quality of overall youth development in the country,adding that he looked forward to a successful sports meet.
Over 11,000 athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are participating in various sports in Delta State, where they would battle for honours in different sporting events for over 14 days.
The host Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who formally welcomed the athletes and visitors to the state assured them of a peaceful environment for the competition.
He encouraged the athletes, who had spent several months preparing for the event, to break and create new records which would further push Nigeria’s sports to new frontiers.
According to Okowa, I want to encourage our athletes who, after several months of preparation would be put to rigorous test, to create and break new records to ensure that our sports is further pushed to new frontiers.
The Governor noted that the festival was not just a breeding ground for new talents, but also an avenue for making new friends and bridging the gap of unity.
Okowa also thanked members of the Local Organising Committee for taking pains to ensure that the aspirations of the Sports Council are met, to make the event a success.
High point of the events that marked the opening ceremony include the calisthenics performance of over 500 pupils who performed the traditional dance of the major ethnic groups in the country, oath taking ceremony by athletes, lighting of the torch of unity and the march past by the contingents.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Governors of Edo, Sokoto and Bayelsa states.
