With the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival NSF ongoing in Benin, Edo State, Kaduna State government has expressed intent to host the 21st edition of the festival next year, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands

The state despite security challenges it is facing Wednesday unveiled plans to host the 2022 National Sports Festival.

The Punch reports that in a brochure released by the Kaduna State sports ministry, Governor Nasir El-Rufai said they intended to raise the bar having hosted the 16th edition of the festival

“We have already commenced upgrading the facilities used in 2016 to meet contemporary standards,” a statement in the brochure read.

“I hereby seize this unique opportunity to reaffirm our willingness and readiness to
host the biennal event and plead with the Council of Sports’ approval of Kaduna State as hosts of the 2022 National Sports Festival.”

Kaduna State is bidding to host the festival for the third time.

It first hosted the third edition in 1977 and had another successful hosting in 2009.

Some of the proposed venues to host the festival include Kaduna Club, Murtala Square, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna Township Stadium, Kaduna State University, Nigeria Defence Academy, Police College, and the Kaduna Polytechnic.

The state added that construction of seven new stadia in Kaduna, Zaria, Kafanchan, Kachia, Lere, Birnin Gwari and Saminaka were ongoing.