x

Edo has no funds to host National Sports Festival – Obaseki

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called on the Federal Government to help in funding the National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in the state.

Obaseki said the state is ready to host the 20th edition of the sports event but does not have the financial capacity to host 11,500 athletes and officials.

Obaseki, who received members of the Main Organising Committee from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in Benin City on Tuesday, said COVID-19 had taken its toll on the finances of the state.

He said: “Since March last year, you know the financial strength of most states, sub-nationals and countries. For us as a state, we are ready to host but don’t have the funds at this point in time to host the Games; this is the plain truth.

“If the Federal Government however in its wisdom decides to bring the funding for the Games, we will be too willing to host the country. We have to live with COVID-19 because it has come to stay; even with the vaccination, the virus will still be around. Canceling the Games is not the solution to this issue. We have to sit down and look at all these issues critically before reaching a final decision.”

Obaseki added, “Beyond the Games itself, which is an instrument of unity and a way of engaging the youths, there is the Tokyo Olympics to prepare for. But how do we prepare for the Olympics without Edo 2020? Can we afford to expose our young people to the dangers of COVID-19 or would there be other Olympics in the future? We have to balance these things.

“We have to make a decision whether we want to go to the Tokyo games. If we want to, how do we prepare Nigeria’s contingent, where are the trials?”

However, Nebeolisa Anako, who led the delegation to Obaseki’s office, expressed delight with the facilities inspected by the committee for the festival scheduled to hold from February 14 to 28.

“We are here to look at the preparedness of the state and determine how it would be hosted in a safe manner, considering the pandemic. What we saw while inspecting the facilities for the festival gladdens my heart. It shows that the state government is prepared to host the event. We are also looking at the funding for the Games.”

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalistAs...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Edo governor plays host to Delta Speaker, members in Benin

By Anne Azuka Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has ...

Sokoto State to Strengthen Partnership With European Union 

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed...

SOKOTO L-PRES Project Organizes Training On Productivity And Technology Adoption 

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support...

CSO tasks Gov Eno on A’Ibom University of Education Bill

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,UyoA civil society-cum-human rights organisation in Nigeria,...

Oron Union Celebrates 100 Years of Unity and Cultural Renaissance

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,UyoThe Oron Union, one of Nigeria’s oldest...

JUST IN: Lagos Council Chairman Kolade Alabi Collapses During APC Meeting

Kolade Alabi, Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area and...

NMA Applauds Gov. Otti for Approving 100% Salary Increase for Doctors

The Abia State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img