By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 27, 2022

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is convinced the country’s recent excellent performances at recent international competitions justify Federal Government’s progressive agenda in the sports sector.

The Vice President, who on Tuesday in Abuja, flagged off the movement of the Torch of Unity, which is the symbol of the National Sports Festival, said at the ceremony “the performance of Team Nigeria clearly demonstrates that the progressive agenda of the Federal Government for the sports sector is yielding the desired results.”

He added: “We are still basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.  

“We are committed to rendering continuous support to the sports sector to sustain the heights already attained, as well as realise our overall goal of using sports as a veritable tool to meaningfully engage our teeming youth population.”

Citing examples of successful Nigerian athletes discovered at previous editions of the festivals, the Vice President said, “The National Sports Festival is a crucial activity in the sporting life of our country. It is the breeding ground and an engine room for the production of the very outstanding talents that will go on to become world champions.”

He recalled the exploits of some “great champions who were discovered at various National Sports Festivals, including Blessing Okagbare, a world medalist in the 200 metres, Olympic and World Championships Medalist in the Long Jump. Chioma Ajunwa, notable for being the first Nigerian to win a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.”

The VP also mentioned the likes of Olusoji Fasuba, Lucy Ejike, Enefiok Udo-Obong and current world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan.

The Vice President commended Delta State government for accepting to host the event and for the efforts it was making in delivering a truly successful festival.

Earlier in his remarks, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, noted the state’s preparedness to host athletes, officials and other guests to the 21st edition of the games.

He said sporting facilities and other relevant infrastructure for a successful festival would be in place before the opening ceremonies for the festival on November 28.

The highpoint of the event was the handing over of the festival torch, tagged “torch of unity,” to Osinbajo by the Sports Minister, before the torch began a symbolic journey across the country en route Delta State, where the 21st National Sports Festival will hold in November 2022.

Source The Guardian Nigeria

Posted October 27, 2022

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