By Our Correspondent

Edo State government has assured Nigerians of a digital and successful 20^th edition of National Sports Festival next year, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report

The Deputy Governor of the state and Chairman Local Organising Committee, Hon.  Philip Shuiabu made the assurance on Tuesday stating that for the first time in the history of the NSF, all activities shall be digitalised.

The number two citizen of the state also stated this at the 2nd and final joint technical meeting between the Main Organising Committee and the LOC in Benin-City on Tuesday. He also said that the games will be organised to ensure national unity, trust, peace and friendliness which is the universal aim of all sporting activities.   

Mr Shuiabu, who represented the Executive Governor, His Excellency,  Gaius Obaseki in his statement said that Edo 2020 is very special to the state. He explained that this is not the first time the state is hosting such event but noted that “Edo 2020 is unique in the sense that everything about the event is going to be digitalised.”

Mr Shuiabu further disclosed that the state in it bid to develop sports in the state has decided to build a standard stadium each in all the geopolitical zones of the State and 20 mini stadiums across the state. He said their goal is aimed at making Nigeria the biggest black nation through sports.  There was also an agreed decision to include three extra sports of golf, canoeing and rowing and traditional sports.            

In the same vain, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Adesola Olusade who doubles also as the Chairman Main Organising Committee, MOC reiterated that the Ministry is well on course in doing its part towards the actualization of “Edo 2020”.

In his speech , Mr Olusade stated that having undertaken another round of inspection of the venues and facilities earmarked for the games, the extent of work that has gone into the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium, the LOC must be commended. He stressed on the need for robust interface between the MOC and the LOC as well as their relevant Sub-Committees as this would lead to timely attainment of mandate of the Games.

On her part, the Secretary, MOC, Mrs Hauwa -Kulu Aķinyemi, disclosed that since the last Joint Technical Meeting, the Committee has undertaken some activities towards the actualization of the Games of the 20th National Sports Festival. 

The activities includes; confirmation of events in each sports, online accreditation training for states’ desk officers, online registration of participants,  flag off of movement of touch of unity amongst others.

She also declared that the MOC on its part is steadfast in the implementation of the remaining activities on the timeline for the festival as scheduled.