By Femi Atolagbe

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Despite the uncertainty surrounding the hosting the National Sports Festival (NSF) by the Edo State Government, Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Mr Dotun Owanikin has expressed the readiness of the state to surpass Abuja 2018 feat.
The Commissioner in a chat with Sporting Hope said all the athletes have been training vigorously ahead of the national fiesta, saying closed camp will open a week to the commencement date.
He said; “with the new management in place and the enthusiasm, excitement of the athletes we are sure of better performance in Edo State, we are going to do better than what we did in Abuja 2018”, he said.
He commended the state government for being alive to their responsibilities, saying lack of funds will not deterred the state contingent participation at the festival.
“To the glory of God, we have been able to get part of what is required for the festival, in the next few weeks we are sure of getting the balance of what we need to ensure that we have a very good participation in this year edition. This he said will spur the athletes and their officials to put in their best in Benin”
The National Sports Festival was postponed twice, from the earlier date of March 22 to April 2, 2020, to January 3rd 2021 due to the outbreak of coronavirus and rescheduled to hold from February 14 to 21.
If the statement coming from Edo state government yesterday is anything to go bye, the Festival may face another postponement.
According to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, “we are ready for the festival, but we lack funds to host the games,” he said.