Oyo State To Submit Bid For Hosting Of National Sports Festival

Oyo State To Submit Bid For Hosting Of National Sports Festival

Oyo State Government is keenly interested in hosting the National Sports Festival in 2024, Chairman, Oyo State Sports Council, Honourable Gbenga Adewusi 'Arole' made this known on Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOA) on "Oyodotun Extra" television program.

While responding to the questions raised on the efforts of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM), Honourable Adewusi "Arole" reiterated the commitments of the state Government in prioritizing the sport sector through the rehabilitation and re-modelling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba and other other five sports facilities across the geo-political zones of the state.

Honourable Adewusi remarked that the State Government will present two hundred and ninety six 296 athletes for participation in thirty two different games on the 21st National Sports Festival tagged "ASABA 2022" which is scheduled to hold from November 28 to December 10 2022 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba Delta State.

The chairman stated further that fifty technical officials from Oyo State were registered to officiate at the National Sports Festival adding that the state is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure adequate preparation with a view to emerge victorious and perform excellently well in the forthcoming tournament. He confirmed that some sports are already in open camp to fortify thier skills and proficiencies.

Hon. Adewusi remarked that the National Sports Festival is a replica and Nigerian version of Olympics games to showcase and nurture the potentials of our upcoming athletes for development of sports in Nigeria, stressing that it also serve as breeding ground for production of outstanding talents.

The Chairman said further that he is optimistic of the victory of the Oyo team considering the fact that they recorded enviable and exceptional track record in recent past. "They came Sixth in the 2020 edition of National Sports Festival held in Benin city and also emerged second over all position in the first National Para Games tagged "Abuja 2022".

"We are all basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of our three weightlifters that won gold, silver and bronze respectively at the Commonwealth games held in Birmingham recently".

Hon. Arole Gbenga Adewusi posited that most of the known talents and outstanding stars that made Nigeria proud were discovered during the National Sports Festival in the recent past, he therefore commended the Federal Government for sustaining the bi-annual National Sports tournament. Addressing the athletes during their training sessions, Honourable Gbenga Adewusi handed the athletes a tall order to surpass the standard set in the previous editions.

 "I will like to enjoin all the athletes to redouble your efforts to win more laurels for Oyo State, the state is looking forward to win more gold medals that will facilitate representation of Nigeria in International tournament in the foreseeable future".

The Chairman of the Council, commended the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer 'Seyi Makinde for creating an enabling environment for new and progressive ideas to thrive in the sports sector, stressing the State Government will procure modern and state of art equipment for the use of athletes in the second phase of the remodeling project.

-OyostateNews