Doubts continue over Sports Festival start date

…Not up to 20 states have yet registered, Edo says no money

By Ben Alaiya

To be or not to be, that has been the question on the lips of sports enthusiasts across the country over the upcoming National Sports Festival originally tagged Edo 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

The festival tagged the Nigerian Olympics has been scheduled to start from February 14-28, which is less than a week from now. Officials for the festival are keeping sealed lips on whether or not the festival will go ahead.

Ordinarily, the Games Village should open early this week with athletes from all the states trooping in but that does not look likely, with the pandemic on the rise in the country.

Last week, Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki, said that the state government does not have the resources to host the nation, unless it’s bailed out by the Federal Government.

But Peter Nelson, who is the Secretary o the Main Organising Committee, has said provisions will be made for the state to avoid another postponement.

READ ALSO: Controversy trails Edo Sports festival date

Another critical decider for the festival to hold will be the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 headed by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

So far the PTF have been mute on whether or not it will grant permission for large numbers of athletes to gather in Edo State for the festival.

With most states also crying of lack of funds for the festival, many are worried that organisers will have no choice but to again shift the games for the third time.

At the last count only athletes from Edo, Delta, Lagos and Kano were said to be in camp for the festival.

The rules for the festival states that at least 20 states must indicate interest in the festival before the games are held, that is not the case at the moment.

Sports Minister, Sunday Dare and LOC Chairman and Deputy Governor o Edo state, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu, are expected to make pronouncements on the issue later this week.