Says Sports Minister has Brought High Level Commitment to Sports Development in Nigeria

The Governor of Delta State and chief host of the 21st National Sports Festival, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has showered encomiums on the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare for his commitment to sports development in Nigeria.

Speaking in Asaba, Delta State at the unveil ceremony of the mascot and logo of the National Sports Festival(Delta 2022) on Wednesday, Governor Okowa also congratulated him for the giant strides made for the country.

His words: “I must truly thank the Honourable Minister for the way he is taking sports development in this nation. He has brought a high level of commitment to sports development in Nigeria yet he remains so humble in his approach.

“I believe that is the reason why some of us are very much encouraged to work with him to see what best can be done for Nigeria. We notice the work he is doing and are proud of him in this respect.”

Governor Okowa also revealed that the Sports Minister is one of the major reasons Delta State never hesitates to support Nigerian athletes and sports generally anytime the Ministry comes calling.

In his address much earlier, the Sports Minister Sunday Dare thanked Governor Okowa for always being there for Nigerian sportsmen and women, praising him for his commitment to sports development in an era where most of his colleagues still regard sports as mere recreation or ‘play, play’.

“You stand head and shoulders high among your peers when it comes to your courage and commitment in this area. And we know for sure that you will bring all these to bear in the execution of the 21st National Sports Festival in November 2022,” Dare said.

Over Sixteen thousand(16,000) athletes from across the country will converge on Delta State to compete for medals in forty(40) sports from November 2 – 15, 2022.

Partisan politics took the back seat as sports once again proved to be the unifier of Nigerians when the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and a host of other important dignitaries on Wednesday night in Asaba, Delta State unveiled the mascot for the 2022 National Sports Festival in an elaborate and colourful ceremony.

The chief host, Dr Okowa promised that Asaba will put up a show that the whole of the country will be proud of when the National Sports Festival begins later in the year.

According to him, “The National Sports Festival is Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games and Delta will make it an unforgettable experience for everyone.”

In his own remarks, Sports Minister Sunday Dare said the National Sports Festival is no longer an event that would go unnoticed in the country.

His words: “The National Sports Festival must come with pomp, pageantry and colourful ceremonies. It is no longer a corridor event. It is a classy event reminiscent of the Olympic Games.

“Asaba is really ready with the unveiling of the Games Mascot. These are some of the little details obtainable at the Olympics and it is on display here in Delta State.”

Dare further charged the various committees to ensure that 2022 National Sports Festival delivers a world class competition that sets a standard for the future through its planning and execution.

The unveiling of the mascot officially flags off the marketing activities of the Games scheduled to hold in November 2022.