By Amaechi Agbo

All athletes participating at the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival, NSF holding in Benin, Edo State next month will pay the sum of N15, 000 (fifteenth thousand naira only) participation fee, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

In a letter sent to all the directors of sports in the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and made available to our correspondent, athletes and officials are to pay the mandatory participation fee just as the letter directs participating states to provide insurance cover for all their Athletes and officials.

The letter dated 18 January, 2021 titled “Update And Reminder On Payment Of Participation Fee For The 20th National Sports” further directed that all fees must be paid between February 10 and 12, 2021.

While asserting that the February 14 to 28 dates for the festival stand, the letter signed by the Secretary, Main Organising Committee, MOC, Peter Nelson noted that submission of the insurance cover documents remains one of the conditions for participating states to be admitted into the games village.

Read the letter below:

“You may wish to recall the unanimous decision of Council arising from the Extra-ordinary virtual Council meeting held on Tuesday, 15° December, 2020, that the Festival should take place from February 14 28, 2021 with strict adherence to the COVID-19 Protocol put in place by the PTF.

“I am directed to remind you that the date of February 14 28, 2021 Still stands and In accordance with Rule 15 of the General Rules and Regulations (2020) guiding the organization of the Festival, each participant (athlete or official) is expected to pay a Participation Fee of N15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Naira) only.

“Consequent upon the above, I am to further inform you that the Participating States are expected to make payment of their participation fees from February 10 12, 2021.

“Similarly, Rule 17 of the General Rules and Regulations (2020) guiding the organization of the Festival stipulates that each participating State must provide appropriate insurance cover for her athletes and accompanying officials, evidence of which will form part of the conditions for admission of the State contingent into Games Village. You are therefore by this Rule expected to present evidence of payment of the Insurance from February 10 – 12, 2021 as written on the Time line of Activities for the Festival (Copy attached).

“While looking forward to receiving your State’s Contingent at the Festival, please accept the assurances of the Chairman MOC’s sincere
regards.”