‘We couldn’t ask for more’ — Minister Dare convinced Edo is ready for 20th NSF

The level of preparedness in Edo ahead of the 20th National Sports Festival has convinced Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, of the state’s readiness to host the event.

The biennial festival, which is targeted at uniting the country through sports, is billed to take place this year between March 22 and April 1 in Benin City.

Speaking after inspecting the facilities for the games, including the hostels for athletes, Minister Dare expressed his conviction that the state has surpassed expectations.

“We started from the stadium; we looked at a section of the stadium today. We had already looked at the other parts earlier when I said it was 90% ready. When I came the last time it was just rafters for the gym, we have seen that everything is almost set, by Sunday or Monday that place will be fully ready,” the minister explained.

“We have seen the hard court, Ogbe hard court is ready. We have seen the main bowl itself is ready, we will test the tracks by our athletes. It almost means that it is ready. I think we couldn’t ask for more.”

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Meanwhiles there had been fears that the Games would be postponed due to the novel coronavirus that had become a global pandemic.

But the Minister assured that the state government had put in place all that is needed to contain any possible case of the virus.

“I think beyond the bricks-and-mortar, beyond the tracks, the buildings, the hostels, the other thing they’ve done so well is containing the spread of the virus,” Dare continued.

“As we speak, I know they have received 8500 sanitizers, the total number they’re expecting is 12000 sanitizers.

“As we speak I know they have designated 15 entry points for screening, so if you’re coming from the North, if you’re coming from Lagos, the first point of call just like the entry points at the airport is the screening point. That screening point you also get the package of literature and sanitizers and then you get your your accreditation done. One Stop Shop.

“They’ve done tremendously well I’m sure tomorrow when they start the daily briefing on medical preparedness for the next six days you will understand the level of work they have done.”

On the competition proper, Dare is optimistic that great talents would emerge for the country for future international sporting events.

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