Edo 2020: Paucity of funds impedes National Sports Festival says Edo State Government

L-R: FMYSD Rep, Godwin Obaseki and Philip Shaibu 

By Eyo Kelvin

Government of Edo State played host to the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at the government house to discuss way forward for the National Sports Festival billed for the state.

 

Godwin Obaseki disclosed that the state is fully ready to host but lack of funds in the state is the reason for the impediment of staging the National Sports Festival.

 

He said, “While receiving members of the Main Organizing Committee from the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development (FMYSD), I disclosed that Edo state is ready to host the National Sports Festival (NSF), but we don't have the funds at this point in time to host the games”.

 

“COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the finances of various states and countries across the globe and Edo State is not left out”.

 

Obaseki further stated that cancelling the game is not the best solution considering the fact that athletes will be competing at the world stage in Tokyo Olympics.

 

“If the Federal Government however, in its wisdom, decides to provide funding for the games, we will be too willing to host the country”.

 

“Cancelling the game is not the solution to this issue. Beyond the game itself, there is the #TokyoOlympics to consider. We have to sit down and look at all these issues critically before reaching a final decision”. Godwin Obaseki concluded.

 

The event also known as ‘Edo 2020’ was initially scheduled for March 2020 but was postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic and later rescheduled for January 2021.