Nasarawa Govt. Calls for vigilance to ensure objectives of National Sports Festival

Nasarawa State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa, briefing Journalists,  yesterday, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

The government of Nasarawa State has called on the organizers of the 2022 National Sports festival “to put search lights in and around Event Centres to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Sports Festival are not eroded by selfish stakeholders whose motive is to favour some States at the expense of others, probably due to pecuniary gains.”

The State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Amb. Lucky Isaac Yargwa made the call during a press conference at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, yesterday.

Disclosing that contingents from Nasarawa   arrived Delta with a team comprising 181 athletes, 33 coaches, eight referees, 27 sports secretaries, 20 accompanying officials, two medical personnel as well as six security details, Yargwa observed that the State started participating in the Sports Festival since 1998.

Highlighting some of the States’ past achievements at the event he said “In the 2021 edition of the Sports Festival in Edo State, Team Nasarawa won a total of 22 medals, which include 5 gold, four silver and 13 bronze medals, and finished 18th out of 36 States and FCT, Abuja, on the medals’ table.”.
The commissioner also revealed that the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has redeemed the sum of 16.5 million pledge which he made to athletes who won medals at the 2021 Sports Festival at Edo State.

He added that the State Governor who believes in hard work equally rewards excellent performance.

While assuring that Team Nasarawa will be among the top ten highest medal-winning States before the end of the games, he noted that Governor Sule has accorded them all the necessary support to ensure they excel at the Festival.

However, the Commended the Federal Government, Delta State Government as well as other Partners for making sure that the event doesn’t only hold, but meet the required standard.

“Today, Team Nasarawa came to Asaba with the largest number of contingent, comprising 181 athletes, 33 coaches, 8 referees, 27 sports secretaries, 20 accompanying officials, 2 medical personnel and 6 security details.
“We are participating in 27 sporting events. In all of these sports, we are very confident of surpassing our previous medal records.
“In the 2021 edition of the Sports Festival in Edo State, Team Nasarawa won a total of 22 medals, which include 5 gold, four silver and 13 bronze medals, and finished 18th out of 36 States and FCT, Abuja, on the medals’ table
“So far, Team Nasarawa has won three medals – one Silver from Para-Table Tennis and two coming from Taekwondo events(Poomsae Individual and Poomsae Team Event).
“Some of our athletes are already in the medal stage in some sports, and before the end of today, we should have more medals in our cabin.
“But I want to assure you that before the end of the Festival, Team Nasarawa will be among the top ten highest medal-winning States. Our athletes and coaches are more than motivated to deliver results.
“Our sport-loving Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, accorded us all the necessary support to ensure we excel at the Festival.
“Nobody is owed any dime. The State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, made every necessary and adequate provision for each member of the contingent.
“As a State, our main focus is on the real stakeholders, that is the athletes and coaches.
“I also wish to disclose to you that our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has graciously redeemed the sum of 16.5 million pledge he made to athletes who won medals at last year’s Sports Festival in Edo State.
“this is to further boost the morale of the athletes to redouble their efforts at this year’s edition of the Event.
“As a Government, we prioritize the welfare of our people, and we will continue to improve it to meet acceptable global standard.
“We are deliberate in building sports infrastructure and supporting human resource development for optimum performance and healthy competition wherever we find ourselves.
“However, I want to call on the organizers to put search lights in and around Event Centres to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Sports Festival are not eroded by selfish stakeholders whose motive is to favour some States at the expense of others, probably due to pecuniary gains.
“They must stick to the rules and regulations guiding the competition and ensure that talents, irrespective of the State they come from, are discovered and be nurtured to represent the country at international sports meet.
“Also, peaceful co-existence, love for one another and acceptance of social, cultural, religious and economic values should and must be preached, because that’s why the Sports Festival was established.
“Finally, I must commend the organizers of the Sports Festival, including the Delta State Government, the Federal Government and Partners for ensuring that this Event doesn’t only hold, but meets the required standard.” He said.