NSF 2018: FCT Sports Dept. Holds 1st Joint Meeting With Sport Association Chairmen

FCT Sports Dept Holds 1st Joint Meeting With Sport Association Chairmen By Niyi Busari The Director, Department of Sports Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Mrs. Dilichikwu Onyendinma on Thursday addressed all chairmen of sports Associations on the readiness and preparation of FCT for the 19th National Sports Festival, following approval of participation fund by the Minister, Malam Bala Muhammed and that the camp will officially open for the athletes camping ahead 19th National Sports Festival tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports. The meeting which was held at the conference Hall of the Sports Department Garki Abuja help to shed more light on the level of preparation, camping, athletes' welfare, coaches, secretaries and chairmen's roles in the upcoming national event. Dilichikwu who chaired the meeting thanked FCT minister, Malam Bala Muhammed for approving the budget for the nation's capital participation in the national festival adding that approval does not translate to the arrival of the funds. She appreciated all the sports associations chairmen for their assistance in camping, provision of training kits and equipments adding that they can be handed over to sports department to shoulder the responsibilities. She added that the camp officially opens today (Friday) where over 400 athletes are expected as women and men will be camped separately at Old Parade Ground Area 10 Garki, Abuja. "Permit me to thank the Minister of FCT, Malam Bala Muhammed for approving the funds, we can now declare the camp open for all athletes to come into camp and have full time training, concetrated and committed to win laurels for the hosts city." The camp open on Friday, we expect over 400 athletes in camp, however, the women will not be together with the men. Everything in term of welfare, allowances, transportation has been taking care of." Twenty five sports association Chairmen were at the meeting which commenced 11:45 am and ended 1:45 pm on Thursday. Speaking after the meeting, FCT Chairman Tennis Association, Mr Dayo Akindoju who expressed confident about athletes that will represent FCT and optimistic that they will settle for nothing but medals. Akindoju further stated that six (three men and three women) tennis athletes have been in camp for over three weeks who will battle other states contingents when the event gets underway next week. "The six athletes that will represent FCT in Tennis at the 19th National Sports Festival have been in camp in the last three weeks." "They are focused and committed to win medals as they are ranked among the best in the country."