2020 Edo National Sports Festival may feature only non-contact games, says ministry

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has revealed that the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival may still hold this year with only non-contact games if the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic still insists that all contact games would not hold this year.

Speaking at the weekend, Special Assistant to the Sports Minister, Kola Daniel, affirmed the ministry’s determination to lift the sports sector despite the COVID-19 pandemic setback, adding that the ministry would begin the process of putting the logistics in place for the Sports Festival once the relevant health agencies allow all sporting activities to resume.

He also said that the ministry has started mobilising Nigerian athletes ahead of next year’s Olympic Games in Japan, adding that Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, has urged Nigerian athletes to continue their preparations for the Games.

“It is a 50-50 chance for the 2020 Edo Sports Festival to hold this year. The sports ministry is in continuous talks with the PTF, relevant health agencies, Edo State Sports Commission and the Local Organising Committee and they will come up with the suitable position in the end of their deliberations.”

Recall that the Edo 2020 Sports Festival Committee set up to review the host’s readiness to host the event in the wake of the postponement of the games due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has submitted its report to the Sports Minister.