Edo 2020: Why we need to  Host Sports Festival Despite  COVID-19

The Council of Sport in the country have unanimously agreed to host the 2020 National Sport Festival tagged ‘’Edo 2020’’ putting in place adequate  measure towards ensuring that the protocols of Covid-19 are strictly enforced before, during and after the sporting festival amongst athletes, participants and officials.

This was agreed in a virtual meeting between the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare with all the stakeholders in the sport industries nationwide.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, Council amongst others agreed; to set up a committee comprising members of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF), Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC), Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, 6 Honourable Sport Commissioners from the Political Zones and Representatives of State Directors of Sports Forum. The secretariat of the Committee will be domiciled in the Planning Monitoring and Information  Department of the Ministry.

The Terms of Reference for the Committee includes; To ensure that the Covid-19 infrastructures in Edo State are up-to-date and adequate, ensure that the Covid-19, Protocol is understood, monitored and well implemented, consideration of the forthcoming Edo election and allow for 2-3 weeks preparation of the NSF.

Expectedly, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will put together a Sports Code of Practice/Management to further guide the Edo 2020 sporting activities during the Covid-19 period in preparation for the reopening of the Stadia. The Committee will also ensure that all the approved sports for NSF are maintained.

Following all the necessary measures to be put in place, Government expects that the sporting festival will serve as a great unifying factor at this time of challenge not only for the country but globally.

 John Olatunji.

 Asst. Chief.. Inf. Off.

For: Director Press.