Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has denied speculations suggesting that the 20th National Sports Festival, tagged Edo 2020, will be moved to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Shaibu who is also the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), reassured that the state was ready to host the Games, scheduled to kick off on April 2, 2020.
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The Deputy Governor also visited Team Edo at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where the athletes were being tested and vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19), ahead of the Games opening.
Shaibu said: “The rumours that the Federal Ministry of Sports wants to take the games from Edo to Abuja is not true as the Minister and the Permanent Secretary have denied it.
“I spoke with the minister who said he didn’t release any statement of such, likewise the PS. Edo State is hosting for the love of the nation and national interest to help our athletes shape up to win at the Tokyo Olympics games.”
Speaking on the state’s readiness to host the competition, he noted: “We are hopeful that the games will go on but only to the extent that we are funded. We are ready. We have gone round the facilities because we believe that we will be funded; that is why the competition equipment is being unveiled and installed.
“The equipment for Edo 2020 are the latest sporting equipment and the type they will meet in the Tokyo Olympics, which is why the contingents will be camping in Edo. We are ready.”
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He said the state has concluded vaccination of Edo athletes and they are now going through PCR screening for COVID-19.
Addressing the state’s athletes, Shaibu maintained: “We are hosting to win and we must win clean without using drugs or cheats. We trust you and know you will make us proud: we will not do anything to give us a bad name. Our junior brothers, Delta State is (sic) already boasting that they will win; we will tell them that we are their senior brothers and will clinch the most gold medals to win the game.”
© ControlTV 2021.
