NSF: Our team will be among the top ten highest medal-winning State, Yargwa says

By Emeka Akataobi

Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nasarawa State, Ambassador Lucky Isaac Yargwa has assured that the state team will be among the top ten highest medal-winning States before the end of the National Sports Festival games holding in Asaba the Delta State Capital.

Ambassador Lucky Yargwa stated this while briefing press men at the Stephen Keshi Stadium venue for the sport festival saying that Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has accorded all participants of the sport festival all necessary support to ensure they excel at the festival.

Speaking further, the commissioner 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 noting that the experience in the Delta 22 National Sports Festival is second to none and that it provides athletes opportunities to showcase what they have in talents and sports-wise.

According to him, team Nasarawa has made eleven appearance at the National Sports Festival since the creation of the state in 1996 and started participating at the National Sports Festival in 1998, adding that the team came to Asaba with the largest number of contingent, comprising 181 athletes, 33 coaches, 8 referees, 27 Sports secretaries, 20 accompany 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 five gold, four silver and thirteen bronze medals, and finished 18th out of 36 States and FCT, Abuja, on the medals’ table”.He said.

The Commissioner who further stated his Excellency commitment in sporting activities said nobody is owed a 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.

He also used the opportunity to advised all athletes 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.