There are indications that the twice postponed National Sports Festival may hold this year. Yesterday, the Cross River State Government gave fresh assurances of its readiness to host the biennial event, which last edition was hosted by Lagos in 2012.

Cross River State Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Comrade Asu Okang, gave this assurance yesterday while leading a three-man delegation on a visit with the Minister of Youth & Sports, Solomon Dalung, in his Abuja office.

He also assured Dalung that the facilities for a successful sports festival were being put in place or upgraded, while urging the minister to pay a working visit to his state to see the level of preparation.

The commissioner also used the occasion to call for the return of all interventionist programmes on youth development and empowerment scattered in various Ministries and Agencies across the country to the Youth and Sports Ministry for better coordination and impact. 

Comrade Okang praised Dalung for withdrawing the recognition accorded the leadership of the National Youth Council, saying recent developments within the Council had embarrassed the country.

“Time has come to do the right thing by ensuring that all such interventionist programmes geared towards youth empowerment and training are domiciled in the relevant youth ministries.

“Governor Ben Ayade believes so much in the ability of youths to take up the mantle of leadership hence he has appointed three young people under 35 years of age as Commissioners in his cabinet, including my humble self, who is the youngest Youth & Sports Commissioner in the country,” Okang said.