Athletes Gear Up for National Sports Festival in Asaba

Athletes today began arriving Asaba, the state capital from different parts of the country ahead of Wednesday’s opening ceremony of the 21st National Sports festival.

The number of athletes, according to the Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Chris Anazia is about 2,000 more than those that participated at the last edition held in Edo State two years ago.

Anazia confirmed that today and tomorrow are for the arrival of contingents from the 36 states and FCT Abuja.

“We are set to receive athletes from the various states on Monday and Tuesday. The opening ceremony will hold on Wednesday. I am sure the athletes, coaches and sports administrators will enjoy their stay in Delta. I wish everyone safe journey to Asaba,” Anazia stated.

The LOC scribe, who is the Director-General of Delta State Sports Commission, added: “Whenever Delta state agrees to do anything, we always go for the best. We are not just going to host a sports festival, but the best ever in the history of the event.”

Meanwhile, the Festival Torch of Unity, which has been moving round the country, has arrived the State. It will begin a tour around all local government headquarters for chairmen and council officials to have a feel.

According to the Adviser to the LOC, Solomon Ogba, the Festival Torch of Unity will arrive Asaba on Wednesday, November 30, the day of the opening ceremony.

“The flag hoisting ceremony for Delta 2022 National Sports Festival will take place at 4pm on the day of the opening ceremony on November 30,” he said.

Delta 2022 National Sports Festival will kick off with cycling on Wednesday morning, while festival will climax on Saturday, December 10.

Delta won the bid to host the fiesta, which is Nigeria’s version of the Olympics Games, at the end of the last edition held in Benin City, Edo State, last year.

Since then, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the vice-presidential candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has put a lot of structures in place to actualize his dream of delivering the best games.

Among the facilities built for Delta 2022 Games are two brand new indoor sports halls, a new swimming pool, a new tartan track, a new shooting range, all within the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, as well as a new hockey pitch at Okpanam.

Governor Okowa also constructed new hostel facilities at the NYSC camp at Issele-Uku and in various schools within Asaba.