Anne Azuka
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, has said that the facilities being put in place by the Delta State Government for the 21st National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state, is not just for the festival but for the future.
Mr. Dare stated this during a joint technical meeting between the Main Organizing Committee (MOC), Local Organizing Committee (LOC), and other stakeholders held in Asaba yesterday.
He expressed surprise over what he saw inside the Stephen Keshi International Stadium, Asaba, after inspecting the facilities being put in place for the festival.
The Minister said that when he came on an inspection in April this year there were nothing impressive on the ground but now he is seeing a transformation from nothing to something, adding that the quality of work being done is of international standard.
While noting that Delta State did not have the luxury of getting two years to put facilities in place for the festival, he commended the state Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for his support for the festival.
The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the festival, Chief Patrick Ukah, revealed that the state government is committed to providing the best facilities which conforms with international best standards, while also taking into consideration the peculiarities of the rules and regulations governing the festival.
Chief Ukah, who is also the Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), called on the stakeholders to be considerate and constructive in putting their criticism, assuring that they will see a perfect setting when they come for a second visitation in a few weeks.
In his presentation, the Co-Chairman of the LOC, Chief Tonobok Okowa, said that the LOC has recorded a lot in its mandate of delivering the best festival ever.
Chief Okowa, who is also the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission and President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), enumerated the facilities and venues for the festival including hostel accommodations.
