Members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and Directors of Sports from the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have met to appraise the successes and challenges experienced during the 21st National Sports Festival tagged “Delta 2022” ending on Saturday, December 10, 2022
The interactive session which took place at the Football House Asaba, Delta State capital is the last to be held by sports officials for the current edition of the competition
The Secretary, MOC and Director, National Sports Festival and Para Sports Department of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Peter Nelson stated that “the interactive session was one of the routine meetings of every National Sports Festival usually held by officials to review the challenges, strengths and day to day activities in connection with the games and welfare of athletes as well as officials in all the sporting venues”.
He added that the Festival like many other sporting events worldwide, had its challenges but that for the quick and prompt intervention of the host State Delta, the challenges were resolved without much delay.
The MOC Secretary stated further that the hosting of the 21st National Sports Festival was one of the best in recent times and that the Delta State Government deserved commendation from all sports-loving Nigerians, especially with the short time they had to prepare for the Games.
“Permit me at this juncture on behalf of the Honourable Minister, Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, my Permanent Secretary, and Chairman MOC, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, thank the Delta State Government, Local Organising Committee, Commissioners of Sports, Director-Generals and Chief Executives of Sports Commissions, Directors of Sports from all the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal capital territory, Abuja, Members of the MOC, all sports stakeholders and the media for their contribution towards the successful hosting of this Festival”.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Chris Anazia thanked the Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, top Management Staff of the Ministry and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration in particular, for the opportunity given to the state to host the Games.
He called on the athletes to leverage on the opportunities provided for them by the Government to develop their sports beyond the festival so as to be able to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
Emmanuel Ukoh
