Izuchukwu OkosiThe Delta State Government are poised to make the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF) to be hosted in Delta State this month one of the best in history of the competition as preparations hits top gear reports Prime Business Africa.
Delta State Governor, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa had ordered for the importation of 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.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the tournament have taken delivery of the tartan track that has arrived the country.
The Games had been scheduled to begin on November 2 and end November 15 in Asaba but had to be postponed due to the inability of the construction workers to conclude their duties on the facilities.
The Games will now hold between November 28 and December 10, 2022.
“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.
“Surely our athletes will set more national records when Delta 2022 National Sports Festival, begins” the LOC said through an official.
Aside the re-laying of the tartan track at that Stephen Keshi Stadium, Governor Okowa is putting in place two brand new indoor sports halls for the Games, just as the old indoor hall is being renovated, Prime Business Africa scooped.
Meanwhile, Special Sports athletes with physically challenges will now be able to compete at the National Sports Festival 2022 after they were initially suspended from taking part in the Games.
Nigeria have always won laurels from the Special Sports athletes at major competitions but were axed for their protests hinging on welfare issues.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
Follow Us