2018 NSF: FCT Minister Thanks Buhari, Sports Minister Others

2018 NSF: FCT Minister Thanks Buhari, Sports Minister Others By Nelly Robinson The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Malam Muhammed Musa Bello has thanked the President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung following their efforts and commitment to resurrect the National Sports Festival after six years of absence, BSNSports.com.ng reports. The nation's capital minister also praised others who are involved in bringing back the national sports event which kicked off on Thursday in Abuja. He made this disclosure in his opening remarks during the opening ceremony at the national stadium on Thursday. "I thank President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development Barr Solomon Dalung and others who took part in making this a reality when no state is ready to host the national event." However, the National Stadium Abuja is now agog with bee hive of activities starting from yesterday 6th December as the much ado and expected Nigeria Olympic Games finally takes off by 6pm Nigerian time. Expressing appreciation and soliciting the cooperation of residence of FCT, athletes and footballers, officials and participating states dignitaries as well as the general public, Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development Olusade Adesola said the festival will be eventful irrespective of the 9 months short period it used to set the bi-annual festival which has received 6 years of inattention rolling. Earlier, the Minister of FCT Musa Bello Mohammed gave an assuring remark to the visitors that FCT is positioned to give them a memorable time during their visit and the festival “I feel highly honored and humbled to welcome you to the 19th National Festival. It feels so great the Hon. Minister of youths and Sports deemed it necessary to revive the event after 6 years of it failure to hold” Bello offered a prayer for the success of the people of Nigeria, Federal republic of Nigeria and FCT. While delivering his welcome address, Minister of youths & Sports Barr. Solomon Selca Dalung repeated the desire for the festival to continue to receive every 2 years of being organized “we will continue to sustain the festival as one of our National Legacies” he stated. 24 states took part in the opening ceremony match pass as others are yet to arrive Abuja. Receiving the Oath of adherence, Wellington Jigele from Delta state and a Scrabble athletes on behalf of all athletes promised to compete free of Doping and obedience to the rules of the Game while official Emmanuel of FCT swore to Rules and regulation of fair play maintenance.