Despite divergent views by members of the National Council of Sports which meeting held on Monday, the general consensus was that the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020 should be held this year.
Speaking during the virtual meeting chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, contributors said although the Covid 19 pandemic was a source of concern, the Edo 2020 sports festival can go ahead later this year if certain measures are put in place.
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The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee – Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shuaibu said: ” We are ready to host the Festival, but other states may not be ready. The issue of health is something that we all take seriously. Isolation centres have been further expanded to bigger capacity. We have set up many testing centres that would screen athletes before and after games.”
The Minister Mr. Sunday Dare said, “After more than more months of uncertainty, we need to chart a new course for our sports just like is been done globally. Our final decision will be based on consultations with the Ministry of Health and the National Task Force on Covid-19.”
In his view, a representative of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Paul Bassey advised that a health committee should be set up to work with the NCCD and the Ministry of Health to determine the possibility of the Festival taking place.
While some members said the Festival should hold before the Edo State election, others said it should be held after the election.
Meanwhile, an 11 Man committee has been set up to inspect all heath facilities for the games. The Committee is made up of members of the Covid-19 Task Force, NCDC, Commissioners of Sports from the 6 geo-politcal zones of the country and representatives of the Sports Ministry.
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