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By Maxwell Kumoye

The 21st National Sports Festival, NSF to be hosted in Delta State later this month is certainly going to be one of the best in history of the competition judging by what the host state is putting up for the event.

Delta State Governor, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is not leaving any stone unturn in his bid and desire to make the 2022 National Sports Festival a memorable one for athletes, officials and indeed Nigerians who a anxiously awaiting for it to begin.

To this end Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has imported the same type and quality of the tartan track used at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in England to be installed at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba.

A member of the LOC said that the new tartan track to be installed at the Stephen Keshi stadium has since arrived in the country.

“In 2018 when Delta State hosted the Senior African Athletics Championship, a new tartan track was installed at the Stephen Keshi stadium but the athletes complained that it was not smooth enough. Now, Governor Okowa don’t want any form of complain. He has imported the same type and quality of tartan track used for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. I am sure our athletes will set more national records when Delta 2022 National Sports Festival, begins” the LOC official said.

Apart from the re-laying of the tartan track at that Stephen Keshi Stadium, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is putting in place two brand new indoor sports halls for the Games, just as the old indoor hall is being renovated.

A brand new swimming pool is also being build within the stadium complex, while hostel facilities are being built in some selected schools for the 21th National Sports Festival.

You will recall that a joint technical meeting involving the Main Organising Committee (MOC), the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and other key stakeholders of the event was held in Asaba on Friday.

The Minister of Sports, Chief Sunday Dare led other delegates and officials in Asaba on Friday to inspect the facilities ear marked for the Festival.

An elated Sunday Dare told journalists after the inspection that, he was highly satisfied with the level of work done so far and he is confident that all the facilities will be ready before the Festival’s opening ceremony.

The 21st National Sports Festival tagged Delta 2022 will go ahead as scheduled from November 28 to December 10.