Team Nasarawa formed one of the talking points on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival tagged #Delta2022, holding in Asaba, Delta State.
A beautiful setting orchestrated by the Delta State Government with the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria witnessed a colourful ambience and serene atmosphere added by Team Nasarawa who joined other States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to give the opening ceremony a historic and palatable composition, a feeling that will continue to linger in the hearts of those present at the magnificent Stephen Keshi Stadium.
Adorned in their traditional green and white outfits, members of Team Nasarawa were vociferous throughout and caught the attention of other participants with their performance before and during the march past.
Joined by the leader of the State delegation and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Isah Mohammed Eyah, the contingent danced, sang and echoed the name of their State across the packed Stadium in joy and anxious anticipation of what to come in the next couple of hours when full hostility will begin at the multi-sport fiesta.
Anchors of the opening ceremony repeatedly chanted the name of Team Nasarawa and positively appraised their regalia which is similar to the national colours as they marched past President Muhammadu Buhari ably represented by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and other high profile dignitaries including Governor of the Host State, Ifeanyi Okowa, together with his counterparts from Sokoto, Edo, and Bayelsa States.
Team Nasarawa arrived in Asaba on Tuesday with a total delegation of 277 members, compromising Athletes, Coaches, Sports Secretaries, Accompanying Officials, Medical and Media teams as well as Security Personnel.
The team will be participating in 27 Sporting Events and is very hopeful of making an instant impact once the stage is set for the business side of the sports meet.
In the last edition of the Sports Festival held in Benin City, Edo State in 2021, Team Nasarawa scooped a total of twenty-two medals, however, the Athletes and Coaches have assured the State and its people of surpassing that record in Asaba.
Dominica Nwabufo
