Oyo prepares 232 athletes as Edo 2020 torch of unity arrives in Ibadan

The sports ministry has taken the Torch of Unity to Oyo State ahead of the 2020 National Sports Festival holding in Edo State between March 22 and April 1.

Sports Ministry’s Zonal Director, South-West, Femi Ajao, yesterday in Ibadan made the official presentation of the torch to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the state, Seun Fakorede, at the Governor’s Office.

Fakorede took the burning torch from the entrance of the Governor’s Office to the main Gate of Treasury Building before handing it over to Ajao for onward movement to other states of the federation.

The commissioner said adequate preparation was in place for the sporting competition, adding that in all, the state would present a total of 232 athletes in 29 sporting events.

He expressed optimism that Oyo would excel at the competition, disclosing that those representing the state have been camped in different places.

“Concerning the camping, it is always imperative that you camp the players or the athletes before the events, which we are doing. So, what we did not just do is to camp all of them in the same place, because we do not have the facilities that can comfortably camp everybody in a particular venue.

“I am confident that in Edo, we are going to do brilliantly. Our athletes are well prepared. Everything that is going to serve as motivation for them is what our governor, Seyi Makinde, had put in place. This is particularly interesting for me because I have not really seen somebody that has so much interest in sports as much as Governor Makinde. His words are backed with corresponding engagements,” Fakorede stated.