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Sport

IAAF’s $.135m: AFN wants Sports Ministry to urgently release probe panel report

Attention Editors: This story has been re-issued, after the correction of some errors. Thanks.

AFN
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, May 30, 2019 (NAN) Sunday Adeleye, a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) board, on Thursday called for the release of a probe report by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ministry had in 2018 set up a committee to look into the circumstances surrounding an overpayment to AFN.

The world athletics body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), had made the payment of 150,000 dollars to AFN, instead of 15,000 dollars as a grant to support its activities.

IAAF had contacted the AFN in March 2018, when the anomaly was detected, and asked AFN to refund the sum of 135,000 dollars which was wrongfully credited to it.

Adeleye, who is AFN’s Technical Director of AFN, told newsmen in Abuja that the money had regrettably not been refunded till date, leading to IAAF threatening to ban Nigeria.

He however said IAAF paid the money to AFN account prior to the emergence of the present board, pointing out that the board met an empty treasury in July 2017.

“We came in as a new board after this money came into the Federation and it got missing before we settled in.

“We have documents of the whole transaction and what happened to that money.

“It is unfortunate that we will now be used as scapegoats. We wrote the then Minister (Solomon Dalung) when the issue of excess payment by IAAF came up, and asked him to do something before it generates into a negative issue against the country.

“The ministry went on to set up a probe panel, but it later stopped the probe. So, why did the Minister stop the probe?

“What was the outcome of the probe? Let the ministry bring out the report of the probe panel,” Adeleye said.

He said the current leadership of AFN should be absolved of the controversy, adding that the Board did not approve the release of any money from the said amount.

“Ibrahim Gusau (AFN President) never met any money in the account of AFN. We don’t know anything about the 150,000  dollars IAAF fund. Those who know about the money are already promising to pay 50 per cent of the money.

“So, the ministry will pay because the Secretary-General of the Federation at the time and who was the signatory to the account is a staff of the ministry.

“He is the eye and mouthpiece of the Ministry,” the AFN board member said.

Adeleye also alleged that the immediate-past Sports Minister was attempting to create chaos within the AFN board.

“We were not invited for a meeting as a board to the ministry, but some very few people among us were invited.

“I only got to the meeting and saw about four people saying that they are the executive board of AFN.

“For the records, 13 persons constitute the board of AFN and the situation cannot be right when you have three or four people signing and saying they want to suspend the president of the Federation, just because they had the backing of the former minister.”

NAN reports that seven out of 12 board members of the AFN had allegedly impeached the AFN President, Ibrahim Gusau, at the Ministry of Sports offices in Abuja late on Tuesday.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olabisi Akinbode/Sadiya Hamza/Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Dalung assures of funds availability for upcoming sports tournaments

Tournaments

By Kayode Adebiyi
Abuja, May 3, 2019 (NAN) Minister of Sports and Youth Development Solomon Dalung has assured Nigerians that post-May 29 political transition would not hinder the release of funds for Nigeria’s participation in upcoming sports tournaments.

Dalung gave the assurance to Nigerians in a keynote address he delivered at a two-day workshop and strategy meeting, organised for sports federations’ presidents, secretaries-general and technical directors in Abuja on Friday.

“I had the opportunity to interact with President Muhammadu Buhari during one of our briefing sessions and told him that funds needed to be released for upcoming competitions before the cabinet was dissolved.

“Mr President has assured me that funds will be made available ahead of the competitions and that there won’t be any reason for preparations to suffer,” Dalung said.

The workshop brought together presidents and secretaries of federations, as well as technical directors on anti-doping sensitisation and strategising ahead of Nigeria’s participation in major tournaments.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria is set to participate in major international competitions between June and August, including the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Egypt from June 21 to July 19, 2019.

The female national football team, the Super Falcons, will also participate in the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in France between June 7 and  July 7, 2019.

The 12th Africa Games (formally All African Games) billed to take place from Aug. 19 t0 Aug. 31, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco, is also on the list of scheduled tournaments.

Dalung told the gathering that the democratisation process put in place to sanitise sports federations had started paying off and urged federations to sustain the gains.

He said one of the objectives of the workshop was to determine to what extent federations have reached substantial levels of democratisation.

Dalung warned that any federation’s board, which failed to comply with the basic provision of having a ratified constitution in place, was doing a disservice to such federation.

“This meeting is important because as we wind down this dispensation, we want to ensure that the democratisation of federations is complied with.

“Any federation which fails to comply has automatically applied to be dissolved,” he said.

NAN also reports that a roll call of all federations under the sports ministry was taken and their levels of compliance verified at the event.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Olusade Adesola, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said a lot of plans went into bringing the federations’ administrators together to discuss sports governance and preparations for major tournaments. (NAN)
KIA/KTO/PDE
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Peter Ejiofor)

Sport

Dalung inaugurates Edo 2020 Main Organising Committee

Inauguration
Abuja, April 23, 2019 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated the Main Organising Committee (MOC) for the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged “Edo 2020’’.

While inaugurating the committee, Dalung said the decision to grant Edo the hosting right was borne out of strategic thinking and the commitment already shown by the state’s government and people.

“Edo won the hosting right after a competitive bidding process. We didn’t want to drag our feet again and we wanted to avoid the delays that characterised the 19th NSF.

“The state showed commitment, evident in the Governor’s presence at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 19th NSF, as well as during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony.

“We also didn’t want the 2019 political transition to negatively affect preparations for the Festival. Thus the choice of Edo was strategic as the state doesn’t have any political transition in 2019,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Edo were named the 2020 hosts of the NSF during the closing ceremony of the 19th NSF in December in Abuja.

The 19th edition was held after six years of delays and postponements, and Dalung said it was out of the need to avoid such that his ministry decided to be steadfast.

“If we don’t inaugurate this committee now and allow it to go to work, it may not be done till June, July or August. So, what time will it have to work?”

Dalung urged the MOC members to commit themselves to delivering a successful NSF in 2020 and be mindful of the peace and unity of Nigeria while going about their responsibilities.

The minister also called on the private sector to support sports development in Nigeria, especially the NSF, which he referred to as one of the core symbols of Nigeria’s unity.

The MOC Chairman, Olusade Adesola, in his acceptance speech assured that the members would work tirelessly to deliver on their mandate.

Adesola who is also the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, said the MOC members accepted the task with humility and a sense of responsibility,

“Although the task before us is enormous, we promise that we will make sure we work round the clock to deliver a 2020 NSF which will surpass the 2018 edition,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that majority of members of the MOC was also part of the 2018 Festival.

He then urged the members to dedicate themselves and double their efforts for a greater result in 2020.

NAN reports that the 17-man MOC has the Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, as its vice-chairman, while Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi, the ministry’s Director of Planning, Monitoring and Information, is the MOC secretary.

The MOC also has the Chairman Edo State Sports Commission; President, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC); President, Paralympic Committee of Nigeria; Director, Grassroots Sports Development; and Director, Federations and Elite
Athletes Department.

Other members are the Director, Facilities and Stadia Management; Director, Sports Medicine; Director, Finance and Accounts; Director of Press; Director, Human Resources Management; and Director, National Institute for Sports (NIS).

The rest are the Head, Legal Unit; Chairman, Committee of States’ Directors of Sports; a representative of the Minister; and the Director of Sports, Edo State Sports Commission.

The Edo Director of Sports will serve as the committee’s Assistant Secretary.

NAN reports that the 2020 NSF is scheduled to hold from March 22 to April 1 in Benin City, to make it the third time the event was being held in the ancient city.

Edo had hosted two previous editions of the NSF, the first being the one held in the old Bendel State in 1981 and the second being the 2002 edition.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

2020 NSF: Youths and Sports Ministry picks March 20 to April 6 dates

Sports
By Monday Ajogun/Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, March 13, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports on Wednesday said it has fixed March 20 to April 6 in 2020 for the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) scheduled for Benin.

The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, who announced the dates said the festival’s opening ceremony would hold on March 22.

“The closing ceremony is fixed for April 2,’’ Dalung, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, said during the extraordinary meeting of the National
Council on Sports (NCS) in Benin.

He thanked Gov. Godwin Obaseki for taking steps to ensure that facilities were upgraded and renovated ahead of the festival.

The minister said he was pleased with the report he got from the Directors of Sports’ Forum, whose members were on tour of sports facilities in Benin.(NAN)
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Dalung urges IBB Golf and Country Club’s Ladies Section to do more on grass roots development

Grassroots
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Feb. 7, 2019 (NAN) The Ladies’ Section of the IBB Golf and Country Club in Abuja must do more for golf to develop better at the grass roots in Nigeria, Sports Minister Solomon Dalung says.

Dalung said on Thursday in Abuja during the ceremonial tee-off of the 21st IBB Ladies Golf Championship that the potential for development was there for tapping.

“The club only needs to initiate good programmes that will utilise personnel, potential and resources to get the right results,’’ the Minister of Youths and Sports Development said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championship which gets underway officially on Friday is holding at the IBB International Golf and Country Club course in Abuja.

The Minister said grassroots development of the sport was very critical to the growth and development of the sport in the country.

“The issue of grassroots development of the game of golf must be given serious and adequate concern.

“I wouldn’t want a situation where when these set of professionals you have now phase out, you will still have to go back to the drawing board.

“The truth is that any country which repeats development by revisiting the drawing board, such a country will remain perpetually underdeveloped.

“But I believe the lady golfers do not intend to tow that line. Therefore, whenever I will be invited here again, I will want to see a situation where young lady golfers are part of the championships,’’ he said.

Dalung also called on the Nigeria Golf Association to partner with the ministry in its activities.

“As a ministry, we also want to challenge the golf association to try to partner more with us, in terms of your programmes.

“This is very important, so that we can be more involved and participate not only in your local competitions but also in your international engagements as well.

“The ministry has provisions of support for any association that is traveling out to represent Nigeria and in case you do not know, once a team qualifies to play outside the country, it automatically becomes the President’s team.

“Therefore, it is the responsibility of the country’s President to cater for the welfare and security of the team and he is also expected to give his blessings and wish the team well in Nigeria,” he said.

The club’s Lady Captain, Julie Acholonu, assured that the club’s Ladies Section was doing a lot in terms of grassroots development of the sport.

“We are indeed very delighted to have the minister present at the tee-off of this year’s event. It is indeed a significant milestone in the history of the championship.

“We have listened and taken note of all you have said, particularly in the area of grass roots development of our sport.

“I am delighted to say that grass roots development is very dear to our heart and we have been doing a lot as a club in that area.

“We organise regular clinics, workshops and competitions for the young ones.

“We have started to catch them young because we are aware that the crop of the golfers we have now will soon phase out as age is not on our side.

“In fact, we have a 13-year-old girl in the club, Iyene Essien, who has been nominated to represent Nigeria.

“This category of golfers are part and parcel of this championship and they will be playing on the final day,” she said.

NAN reports that the event began with the hoisting of the various participating countries’ flags.

The participating players are from countries like Sweden, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, as well as Nigeria,

The three-day gross championship will begin on Friday with no fewer than 260 participants, and it is expected to end on Sunday.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

FG, Edo Govt. sign MoU on hosting of 20th National Sports Festival

Festival
By Omokinwa Akorede/Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Feb. 4, 2019 (NAN) The Federal Government on Monday in Abuja signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Edo State Government on the hosting of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF).

Signing the MoU which is the “Host State Agreement’’, Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, said the act was very meaningful.

“This is to restate that Edo was not just offered the hosting rights of the Benin 2020 Festival, but it contested for the rights and won,’’ he said.

Dalung said Edo contested with Cross River, Delta, Imo and Kaduna State in a rigorous process, and expressed his appreciation of the efforts of governors and people of the states involved.

“I am elated that at the Closing Ceremony of the 19th NSF in Abuja, we were able to secure a Host State for the 20th edition of the Games.

“This ceremony is significant as it not only confirms but reassures Nigerians that the host state for the next NSF is ready and willing to undertake the responsibilities of hosting a festival of this magnitude.

“I am encouraged with the venues and facilities I saw in Edo during my recent visit. From my inspection, Edo has enough facilities to host not just the Festival but international events,’’ he added.

Dalung advised the state to put in place as soon as possible the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) and such subcommittees as it deems necessary.

He said the state should also provide befitting board and lodge for members of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Games Services Sub-Committee and the MOC Secretariat.

Dalung also advised the state to ensure that the security of lives and property of all dignitaries, athletes, officials, spectators and guests throughout the period of the Festival was provided.

The minister advised the state to embark on a sensitisation and awareness campaign among its citizens to ensure lots of spectators for the festival tagged “Benin 2020’’.

After signing the MoU, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said the key component of Benin 2020 was the renewal of Nigeria, promoting its core value and peace.

Obaseki said Edo has facilities across the state to successfully host the 20th edition of the NSF, adding that the state was ready for the games.

“I want to express the profound gratitude of all citizens of Edo for the confidence which the Federal Government has reposed in us to host the 2020 NSF.

“We do not take this very lightly, being a state with history in sports. We clearly understand the implications of the hosting rights.

“Edo was an integral part of the idea of formulating a National Sports Festival after the Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. So, we are very cognisant of the goals and purposes of this sports festival.

“One of its cardinal points is to build unity and patriotism, particularly amongst young people in Nigeria, to develop sports talent and serve as a hunting ground for recruitment of talents at the grassroots,’’ the Edo state governor said.

Obaseki said the state was already putting finishing touches to reconstruction works at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, adding that this would soon be completed.

He then proposed that a National Council of Sports meeting be held on Feb. 21 for planning to commence early ahead of the 20th NSF slated for March 2020.(NAN)
OAC/DE/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Nigeria’s anti-doping compliance status will soon be reviewed, Dalung assures

Compliance
By Max-Iyaye Samuel/Kayode Adebiyi
Abuja, Feb. 4, 2019 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, on Monday assured that Nigeria was working hard to ensure that its non-compliance status at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was reversed.

Dalung who gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of a two-day anti-doping stakeholders meeting in Abuja said this was because much progress has been made in a positive way.

“Prior to the receipt of the notice from WADA which designated Nigeria as non-compliant, we were working to ensure compliance, but our pace was a bit slow.

“One of the key areas of concern identified by WADA is the passage into law, the setting up of an independent national anti-doping organisation.

“They also wanted to be provided the opportunity to review such bill to ensure conformity.

“I can assure now that we have since made progress and this much has been acknowledged by WADA and I am optimistic that, very soon, Nigeria’s status will be reviewed,” Dalung said.

The minister however identified lack of continuity and funding as two major challenges facing the institutionalisation of anti-doping measures in Nigeria.

“We have secured budget line item for anti-doping activities in the 2019 budget. We have also secured approval from Mr President (Muhammadu Buhari) for the funding of the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC).

“The process of releasing funds is ongoing at the Federal Ministry of Finance. As soon as that is done, further activities required for WADA compliance will commence,” he said.

On tackling the issue of lack of continuity in the administration of anti-doping policy, Dalung said he had discussed with stakeholders and sought special approval to source manpower for the NADC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill for the establishment and funding of a national anti-doping agency is one of the demands stipulated by WADA.

It has now passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.

The Chairman, House Committee on Youths and Sports, Goni Bukar, confirmed the status of the legislation in his goodwill message at the event.

Bukar added that it would have been passed if not for the fact that it was being overtaken on the queue by other crucial issues of national interest.

“We are at the verge of passing into law a bill for the establishment of a National Anti-Doping Agency. The bill has gone through second reading and a public hearing.

“But for the issues of the National Minimum Wage and the 2019 Budget, we would have passed it,” he said.

The lawmaker however assured that as soon as the House reconvened, the bill would be given speedy treatment and sent to the Senate for harmonisation.

NAN reports that WADA had on Nov. 14 declared Nigeria’s national anti-doping agency non-compliant, claiming that the country did not meet international anti-doping standards.

This was in spite of the inauguration of the NADC members by Dalung on Sept. 6, where he charged them to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with anti-doping policies.

Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, said at the event that the setback was regrettable.

“It is regrettable that Nigeria was declared non-complaint in spite of all efforts to ensure otherwise. But the declaration has challenged us to step up our efforts.

“There is an evidence of Nigeria’s concrete resolution to join the world in fighting doping in sports,” Adesola said.

The two-day stakeholders’ meeting is carried out in collaboration with the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sports (SAIDS).

NAN reports that the meeting was aimed at developing the capacity of anti-doping officials.

It will also involve the signing of a tripartite agreement involving Nigeria, SAIDS and WADA as part of efforts to comply with world anti-doping regulations.

In his remarks, Rodney Swigelaar, the Director, WADA Office Africa, said Nigeria was one of the key actors when the body was set up.

“Nigeria therefore retains a strong relationship with the organisation.’’

He said since Nigeria’s non-compliance status was transmitted in November 2018, significant progress had been made, assuring that WADA would assist Nigeria to attain compliance.

“Of course, the fact that we are here today is indicative of the progress made. I know that Nigeria is passionate about anti-doping.

“I agree that it is unfortunate for Nigeria to be ranked non-complaint. We hope that this will be rectified soon.

“We will assist Nigeria as much as possible and we are willing to listen to stakeholders concerning challenges faced by Nigeria in this regard,” Swigelaar said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAIDS, Khalid Galant, said at the event that his organisation had the support of the South African government to work with the NADC.

“We have a few challenges, but we are encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Nigerian government and participants at this event.

“We hope that this will be a step towards changing Nigeria’s status in WADA,” he said.

The meeting will end on Tuesday with NADC and SAIDS signing an agreement to collaborate, while WADA will provide oversight in the implementation of the agreement. (NAN)
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(Edited by Chioma Ugboma and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Nigerian leaders should be ashamed of neglecting National Sports Festival for 6 years, Dalung says

Shame

By Monday Ajogun

Abuja, Dec. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, on Saturday said Nigerian leaders should bury their heads in shame for neglecting the National Sports Festival (NSF) for six years.

Dalung told newsmen at the Abuja National Stadium that Nigeria has lost a lot for failing to hold the competition since 2012 when the last edition took place in Lagos.

“The high rate of brisk business at the various venues of this 19th edition in Abuja is enough to tell the story.

“We can not continue to deny our youths the opportunity to achieve the goal as great athletes of their dreams.

” I am even challenging Inspector-General of Police to carry out a research and see how the crime rate would have been reduced drastically during this period when the NSF is ongoing.

“Governments at all levels are supposed to invest in sports to enable them arrest youth restiveness, and sports is a major tool that will ensure Nigeria greatness,” he said.

The minister therefore called on the private sector to join hands with government in holding future competitions, saying government alone cannot do it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSF whose first edition was held in Lagos in 1973 had its longest absence between 2012 and 2018.

This followed Cross River’s failure to host the 19th edition in Calabar in 2014, after Lagos hosted the 18th edition in 2012.

The Federal Government, however, after several disappointments on the part of the Cross River State Government, stepped in to save the biennial event by offering to host the 19th edition in Abuja.(NAN)

AJOM/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Why states not hosting National  Sports Festival  — Minister

Why states not hosting National  Sports Festival  — Minister

Festival

Abuja, Dec. 6, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung has identified misplacement of priorities as the reason states are unable to host the National Sports Festival, NSF.

Dalung  stated this while answering reporters, questions on the sidelines of the Opening Ceremony of the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) at the Abuja National Stadium on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the last time the event was held was in 2012, when it was hosted by Lagos State.

Since then, state governors have been reluctant to table a bid for the  sports fiesta that was instituted by the General Yakubu Gowon administration in 1973.

The 19th edition of the festival was last bidded for by Cross River State, but the state later pulled out citing lack of funds.

“The foot-dragging of states in hosting the event is informed by their funding challenges. However, the funding challenges are as a result of states not getting their priorities right.

“There is nothing as worthy of investment as the National Sports Festival.

“Whatever we are investing in, whether infrastructure or the economy, sports is the institution that supports the unity required for those investments to flourish,” Dalung said.

The minister also stated that the festival’s importance as a legacy project informed his ministry’s decision to fund and host it in Abuja.

“It was our intension to ensure that we revive one of our national legacies, which the NSF is. It is symbolic of our unity, along with the NYSC and the FCT.

“Abandoning it for that long was a disservice and we hope once it regains consistency, the private sector will come in to support us,” Dalung stated.

NAN reports that 7227 athletes, 710 coaches and 322 other officials are participating in the 2018 NSF.

Athletes will complete for honours in 37 sports from Dec. 6 to Dec. 16 when the 10-day tournament will end. (NAN)

KIA/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel  Yashim

Sport

19th NSF: Dalung says about 14,000 athletes and officials registered to participate so far

Festival

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Dec. 4, 2018 (NAN) Close to 14,000 athletes and officials have been registered to participate in the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) which begins in Abuja on Thursday, the organisers said on Tuesday.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, gave the figure at a joint news conference in Abuja with the festival’s chief host, the Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello.

“We developed a website for the Festival, as well as a registration portal, through which all participants registered for the competition.

“The online registration of participants was concluded on Oct. 31, with the distribution of registration from the 36 states and FCT when the site was closed as follows:

“Athletes are 11,638, coaches are 1,242, team officials 855 and state delegates,’’ he said.

Dalung said also that Abula in the male and female categories, cricket for female and football for female would be demonstration events and would not score at the 19th NSF.

He said this was in accordance with the NSF General Rules and Regulations, as amended.

The minister said hosting the 19th edition of the festival was a huge achievement for his administration, after the competition could not hold since its last edition in 2012.

Earlier, Bello had said the FCT, beyond hosting the 19th NSF, would top the competition’s medals table and showcase Nigeria at its best.

He said the Festival would be utilised to show sports as a formidable instrument for tourism, investment promotion and economic development.

“Our current investment in infrastructure, rail transportation and public utilities are geared towards making the city attractive for this purpose.

“We are indeed committed to developing a sports brand, like other major cities of the world,” Bello said.

The minister said the FCT would feature 470 athletes and officials to participate in 27 sports at the Festival.

He assured that the FCT administration would use the 19th edition of NSF to test-run its ultimate goal of putting Abuja in the global map of sports tourism.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Festival’s 2018 edition will feature 37 sports, as against 25 in the last edition held at Lagos in 2012.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)