THE National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020 has come and gone, but the games left sour taste in the mouths of sports enthusiasts across the country. Many expectations were dashed and sports enthusiasts befuddled.
AFTER much postponements due to uncompleted facilities and COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the festival which eventually took place was characterized by manipulations, violence and desperation by athletes and officials. The two- week sports fiesta could not record any new national record.
THIS might have been caused by the fact that it suffered many postponements before it became a reality. We thus commend all the actors that made the festival possible despite the challenges encountered.
HOWEVER, we noticed several lapses during the period . This included the use of foreign mercenaries all in desperation to top the medal table. There were reports that COVID-19 protocols were not respected by the participants and spectators.
ALSO the shortage of COVID-19 implementation officers within the various sport arena .There were also reports of security breaches and arguments over some decisions taken in boxing and football which led to a free for all.
THE festival almost ended abruptly with the Edo State government threat and failure of the federal government to provide the necessary fund for the festival, this marred the performances of the athletes.
IT was also observed that participants of the festival lamented about manipulation of medals in favour of states having “the money power.” This was so glaring during the boxing bouts as guns boomed when the victory of a boxer was given to another.
THE involvement of an eight months pregnant lady participating in Taekwondo event created an uproar, anxiety and fear among fans. Many were aghast that non of the officials at the festival could detect the flagrant abuse by allowing the woman to participate in the festival not minding her.
WE recall that the National Sports Festival, apart from being an instrument of national unity, is also designed to discover talents that would represent the country at national and international meets. But the objectives were dealt a blow as the sports festival did not live up to expectations. The importation of mercenaries took the shine out of the games. The foreign mercenaries could not create any national record and the rookies that should be detected through the festival were denied the opportunities. The festival was a complete failure as it did not live up to expectations of sports enthusiasts.
AGAIN, Edo State presenting the incumbent Deputy Governor as a footballer representing the state at the festival was childish. Agreed that the LOC Chairman is a lover of sports, but it was not normal, morally inappropriate as a chief host to represent his state in football. It presented a serious conflict of interest and thus put a strain on the neutrality and genuiness of officials of the sports festival. Without being sentimental, aside the provision of world class infrastructures for the games by the host state, the 2020 Edo Festival was truly a failure by all standards.
THE 48 year- old festival which was established in 1973 can still be repackaged to meet the yearnings and expectations of all.
To say more, the performance of Ondo State contingent at the festival was not so inspiring as it only, garnered 10 gold, seven silver and 25 Bronze, which placed the state at 11th position in the overall medals table.
IT is glaring that Ondo State which in the past provided three athletes in Nigeria 4×100, provided the likes of Seun Ogunkoya, Fatima Yusuf and Mary Akinyemi has now been relegated to the background in sports.
THEREFORE, there’s the need for the state to gear up, go back to the drawing board and improve on its areas of strength like swimming, table tennis and wrestling. Notably, all the athletes of Ondo State origin lured by other states should be lured back with good incentives. Poor remuneration would not allow athletes to stay, since sports is about money.
THE state must ensure that the athletes are well motivated, wages paid and training allowances provided in time. Otherwise, other states will continue to poach our best athletes. It would not be out of place if athletes still in secondary school and higher institutions are awarded scholarships to boost their morale.