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Tag Edo 2020

  • Mar, Tue, 2020
Sport

My dreams bigger than Edo 2020, 110m hurdles athlete says

Dreams

By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, March 10, 2020 (NAN) Oyeniyi Abejoye, 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, on Tuesday said he was already relishing his chances of participating at Tokyo 2020 more than participating at the upcoming National Sports Festival (NSF).

The 110m hurdler told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that he was more than prepared for the biennial NSF holding in Benin later this month.

“I am well prepared for Edo 2020, but I look forward to the Tokyo Olympics more than any other thing,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Abejoye is presently in closed camp with Team Lagos at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, in preparation for the NSF.

Abejoye, a 110m hurdle silver medallist at the 2018 African Athletics Championships in Asaba, Delta State said the competition in NSF would be a battle against himself alone.

“For the coming NSF, I just want to stay healthy as I needed to be. I want to stay focused with the training, because the Festival record I was holding was broken in Abuja during the 2018 Festival.

“I am going to the tracks with the “me against me’’ attitude, and the “you against you’’ posture as much as I know. So, I am already looking beyond the NSF to taking part in the Olympics.

“My main aim is to be at the Olympics and I have been preparing hard along that line. I have myself to look after and make sure that I am fit mentally and physically,’’ he said.

Abejoye, a Business Education graduate of University of Lagos with a personal best of 13.84 seconds, thanked the Lagos State sports authorities for their support for him.

He added that he was ready to do the state proud again.

“I want to thank the Lagos State Government for the support so far. I was sponsored to Daegu and they also provided good training facilities.

“Come Edo 2020, I sincerely hope to make the state proud and be the best,’’ he said.(NAN)
KOJE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Mar, Mon, 2020
Sport

Rivers inaugurates steering committee for state’s participation at Edo 2020

Inauguration
By Omuboye Sukubo
Port Harcourt, March 9, 2020 (NAN) The Rivers Government on Monday inaugurated a five-man Steering Committee for Team Rivers ahead of the upcoming 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin City, tagged “Edo 2020”.
Boma Iyaye, the Rivers Commissioner for Sports, while inaugurating the committee in Port Harcourt charged the members to ensure that the state’s team performed well at Edo 2020.
Iyaye stated that, as terms of reference, the committee should ascertain the number of sports Team Rivers would participate in and the athletes.
He also urged the members to look at the terms of engagements with the athletes if there were contractual obligations the Ministry of Sports must meet.
“Most importantly, you have to ensure that the athletes are well motivated to make Rivers proud,” the commissioner said.
According to Iyaye, the inauguration of the steering committee, aside the State’s Sports Council, was to ensure that the objectives of the government and people of Rivers were met.
“I commend the Sports Council. They have done a lot, even without a Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, to make sure that the athletes are in tact.”
Chairman of the Committee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Honour Sirawoo, commended and thanked the commissioner on behalf of the members.
Sirawoo assured the Rivers Government that they would carry out the assignment without letting the state down.
Other members of committee were Mildred Hart, the acting Director of Rivers Sports Council, Chioma Christopher, the Festival Secretary, Team Rivers, and Opakriba Harry, the Head of Coaches, Team Rivers.
Sepribo Nimifa-a, the Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Sports, will serve as Secretary.(NAN)
OAS/KTO/OLAL
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Olawale Alabi)
  • Mar, Sun, 2020
Sport

Ondo athletes to return to camp for Edo 2020 on Wednesday, Sports Council official says

Camping
By Segun Giwa
Akure, March 8, 2020 (NAN) The General Manager of Ondo State Sports Council (OSSC), Wande Fabuluje, says athletes to represent the state at the upcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) will begin a 10-day camping programme soon.

Fabuluje told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Akure that the programme will begin on Wedneday and end on March 20.

“It is part of efforts aimed at fully preparing our athletes for the event tagged `Edo 2020’,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the festival which is holding in Benin, with major events slated for the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, is scheduled for March 22 to April 1.

Fabuluje disclosed that all funds needed for the welfare of the athletes, procurement of kits and other allowances had been approved by the state government.

“The coaches and athletes are excited about the upcoming sports fiesta, just as our State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, will soon receive the festival’s Torch of Unity.’’

He said the Torch of Unity would arrive in the state on March 19, which implies the readiness and acceptability of the state to participate in the festival.

“That event is the symbol of the state’s intended full participation at the NSF.’’

The General Manager of Ondo State Sports Council said invitation letters to camp and the competition proper have been given to all the athletes expected to represent the state.

“All preparations for the camping exercise are in top gear as our hardworking officials are also in high spirits to see to the success of it all,” he said.

Fabuluje revealed that athletes in 23 sports would be in camp, before proceeding to Edo for the festival proper.(NAN)
GSD/IKU/OLAL
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(Edited by Tayo Ikujuni and Olawale Alabi)

 

  • Mar, Thu, 2020
Sport

Edo govt advises UNIBEN authorities on maintenance of Edo 2020 facilities

Facilities
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, March 5, 2020 (NAN) The Edo deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, on Thursday called on the authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to ensure they properly maintain the institution’s sports facilities.

Shaibu, who made the call shortly after inspecting the hostels of UNIBEN and the Ekewan campus in Benin, said the state government would be very happy to see proper maintenance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hostels on both campuses would be used to camp athletes during the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’.

“It’s very sad to see that UNIBEN cannot maintain its facilities. It’s very sad to see that this is where our brothers, sisters and sons are being accommodated.

“The past leadership has failed this institution. They didn’t do their work. It’s not about teaching these students in the classrooms. It is also about their behaviour in the hostels.

“And if they have to live in this kind of environment, you can imagine the attitude they will graduate with.

“For me, this is not acceptable that we have to allow these facilities to run down this way before seeking intervention.

“The management of this institution will have to redefine how this university will live up to expectations not only in terms of academic performance, but also in infrastructure.

“I am appealing to the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, to up her game and not behave like previous vice-chancellors,’’ the deputy governor said.

He however said he was still worried about how the university was going to ensure a proper maintenance of the facilities.

“My fear now is that state government is bringing tax-payers money to maintain these facilities. After fixing these facilities, what is the guarantee that we will not go back to this same situation,’’ Shaibu said.

The deputy governor, who also expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of renovation of Queen Idia Hall 1 hostel in UNIBEN, called on the contractor to step up the level of work.

In his reaction, Olanrewaju Adeleke, who is a representative of the contractors handling the hostels’ renovation, Peculiar Ultimate Consult, reiterated the assurances earlier given.

He said the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has assured that the hostel would be ready for the Festival in the next 14 days.(NAN)
AJOM/ASS/OLAL
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(Edited by Saidu Adamu and Olawale Alabi)

  • Mar, Mon, 2020
Sport

Sports Minister rules out postponement of Edo 2020 over coronavirus fears

Fears
Abuja, March 2, 2020 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Monday said the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) would not be postponed due to the fear of the spread of coronavirus.

Dare, who spoke through Peter Nelson, the ministry’s Director of Planning/member of the festival’s Main Organising Committee (MOC), said there was no cause for alarm.

“The 20th NSF tagged `Edo 2020’ is on track. The Games will go on as scheduled. There is nothing to be worried about.’’

He disclosed that he (Dare) had directed the setting up of an isolation centre to take care of any case of the virus.

“The ministry’s Director of Sports Medicine is already working closely with the Edo State Government to ensure a hitch-free Festival. We have no doubt that everything  will work well.”

Nelson said the rumour about postponing the Festival was unfounded and emanating “from mischievous people whose wish cannot come to pass.

“We are on top of the situation and we are going to have a very successful Festival.’’

He assured that the Ministry was on course in all preparations, after its officials embarked on an inspection last week.

“We found out that all the facilities are almost ready, with finishing touches being put on some.

“To underscore the importance and readiness for the Festival, the Minister had met last week with officials of the Ministry of Health and a delegation of WHO to collaborate on  how to curb communicable diseases like tuberculosis and  other viral infections.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2020 NSF is billed to hold from March 22 to April 1 in Benin.(NAN)
OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Fri, 2020
Sport

NSF 2020: Sports Minister commends Edo govt. on quality of facilities provided so far

Commendation
By Monday Ajogun
Benin, Feb. 28, 2020 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Friday in Benin commended the Edo government for the state-of-the-art facilities put in place ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF).

Dare, who was represented by Gabriel Aduda, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, made the commendation shortly after inspecting facilities at the University of Benin, Federal Girls College and the Ogbemudia Stadium.

“With what we have seen today especially, the sports facilities are extremely heart-gladdening, compared with what we saw about three weeks ago when we came for inspection.

“There is a huge difference and a lot is being done to complete most of the facilities.’’

The minister added that the inspection team had not only looked at sports facilities.

“We have also looked at the facilities the athletes require for other things, like the changing rooms, the offices, the work spaces and all and it is amazing how much the state has been able to achieve,’’ he said.

Dare however pointed out that the only place the team had seen a challenge for now was in the accommodation of athletes.

“But, also, we are looking up to the state government, to see what they will be able to do. So, we are expecting another miracle in the area of accommodation for the athletes.

“We are expecting a miracle in the next two to three weeks, even though it is not near what we expect at this time.

“However, we are extremely happy that the state is putting in its best, and by the time we come in for another inspection, we expect to see a huge lift forward in providing a befitting accommodation for the athletes.

“We are hoping that the accommodation that they preparing for athletes will be in place before the next two weeks when we will come for another inspection,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facilities inspection team also had Habu Gumel, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).(NAN)
AJOM/KOO/OLAL
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Thu, 2020
Sport

Edo 2020: MOC, LOC to inspect facilities, venues

Inspection
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Feb. 27, 2020 (NAN) The Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’ will on Friday jointly inspect facilities for the Festival.

Blessing Lere-Adams, the Chairman of MOC’s Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

She said the joint inspection, being the final one, would be all-encompassing.

“Facilities to be inspected include sports venues, hostel accommodation, medical centres and others that would ensure a successful Festival.’’

Lere-Adams said both the Federal Government and Edo Government have intensified their synergy to ensure a world-class Festival.

She said the Edo government was leaving no stone unturned in ensuring state-of-the-art modern sports facilities were put in place for the Festival.

“It’s been authenticated that, as at today, all facilities are 95 per cent completed. Edo is highly commended for this milestone commitment and that is a testimony to the expected success of the festival.

“The FG, on the other hand, had been working round the clock to plug any loose end in all facets of the festival.

“Of course, we are all aware that the MOC Chairman, who is the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Gabriel Aduda, alongside the Minister, Sunday Dare, have been on their toes in this regard,” Lere-Adams said.

She disclosed that, as part of preparations for the Festival, several Joint Technical Meetings, involving all state Directors of Sports, the ministry’s Zonal Coordinators, sport icons and stakeholders, had been held.

Lere-Adams, who is the ministry’s Director of Press, said the Festival’s Games Village which would host about 11,500 athletes is scheduled to open from March 20 and close on April 2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 20th NSF will hold from March 22 to April 1 in the newly-renovated Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and 16 other venues in Benin.(NAN)
MUYI/KOO/OLAL
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Wed, 2020
Sport

Gymnasium complex will soon be ready for Edo 2020, Gov. Obaseki assures

Gymnasium
By Joy Odigie
Benin, Feb. 26, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Wednesday assured that renovation work at the gymnasium hall at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Complex in Benin would be completed soon.

The governor gave the assurance after an inspection tour of facilities at the stadium complex ahead of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020″.

“I have been assured by the contractor that the gymnasium hall will be ready very soon because all the materials are already here.”

He also said the lawn tennis courts, swimming pool, power and security system for the games, as well as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) facilities, were ready.

Obaseki assured further that parking spaces for non-Games vehicles would not be too far from the stadium as traffic would be properly managed around the stadium.

The governor also said that Edo athletes would be moving into camp in a week’s time while accommodation had been secured for visiting athletes.

“No fewer than 3,000 hotel rooms are available on commercial basis for the games. The owners of hostels of educational institutions and hotels around the Benin metropolis have been very  supportive in this regard,’’ he said.(NAN)
OOJ/KOLE/OLAL
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso and Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Fri, 2020
Sport

Gov. Obaseki flags off countdown to Edo 2020

Countdown

By Joy Odigie

Benin, Feb. 21, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday flagged off the countdown to the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) holding in Benin, saying the festival would help to unite the entire nation.

Speaking at the countdown and sensitisation rally at the Edo Government House in Benin, the governor pointed out that it was exactly 31 days to the NSF.

“This festival is a festival of unity to unite Nigerians. It is a festival to encourage Nigerian youths and a festival that will take the country to the next level.

“We are here to begin the countdown. For a big event like the NSF, we have to commence the publicity from now.’’

He then commended media houses for the support being given to the Edo government as it prepares to host the festival.

Also speaking, the Edo Deputy  Governor, Philip Shaibu, disclosed that accommodation had been prepared for about 11,500 athletes and officials expected to participate in the game.

Shaibu added that proprietors of hotels across the state had agreed to give a 30 per cent discount for accommodation for the guests and spectators.

“From 10 days to the opening of the game, we will publish the names of the hotels and the prices of the rooms to enable our visitors check and know which one they can afford.’’(NAN)
OOJ/MAM/OLAL
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(Edited by Modupe Adeloye and Olawale Alabi)

  • Feb, Fri, 2020
Sport

We won’t set 2020 NSF medals target for Kwara team, state DOS says

Camp
By Ijeoma Okigbo
Abuja, Feb. 21, 2020 (NAN) Tunde Kazeem, the Director, Kwara Sports Council, on Friday said the state would not set a medals target for its team at the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) in Edo.

Kazeem told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the just-concluded Kwara state sports competition has already helped to discover talented athletes to represent the state at the festival.

“Although Team Kwara won 12 medals in their last outing in Abuja two years ago, I am however optimistic of a better outing in Edo.

“This is based on what we have at hand presently.

“That is why we are not going to set a target for the team in Edo, because we are confident of winning many medals,’’ he said.

The Director disclosed that the state’s sports authorities were yet to begin the closed camping phase of their athletes’ preparation for the festival.

“Rather, our athletes are already training and preparing hard in their various locations,” he said.

NAN reports that the NSF is expected to hold from March 20 to April 3.(NAN)
IHA/OYE/OLAL
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(Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole and Olawale Alabi)