Shaibu: Edo State needs FG’s financial support to host National Sports Festival

WITH just over two weeks to its proposed start, Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who is also the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival, has reiterated the state’s need for financial support in order to be able to host the event.

The state’s Governor Godwin Obaseki had said recently that in spite of the willingness and readiness to host the games, funding was becoming a big hindrance.

Shaibu has now backed his boss, calling for the federal government to come to the state’s aid for the adequate hosting of the festival billed for 14 February to 28 February in and around Benin City.

“The sports ministry has been wonderful and understanding,” Shaibu, a keen sportsman, told Channels Television on Thursday night.  “The minister and his team are working on the required documentation to make the games happen. They have been committed to the cause and it is encouraging.

“We really want to host the games. We believe it will revive sports in Edo State and achieve national peace and unity with it. 

“The games had an objective to promote interaction, sadly, COVID-19 is against that. We must consider all the variables that will make it work.

“We are ready to host and if the games must hold, the Federal Government must play a crucial role in providing funding. 

“We will work with the guidelines they provide to ensure safety during the games. But without the funds, we will just be talking.”

The festival was initially scheduled for March 2020 but has been postponed twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic which has adversely affected all aspects of life globally since early 2020.

Shaibu assures that Edo State will take necessary measures steps to prevent the spread of the virus during the National Sports Festival.

He added: “Edo State is also concerned about the spread of COVID-19 if we eventually host the games. We have a responsibility to protect our people so we are looking at the best measures to deal with the virus so it doesn’t spread. 

“We must seek for solutions to host the games. Edo State is also committed to conducting rapid testing. That is how we can control the spread of the stadium. We have also invested in technology that will control the presence of fans at the stadium. We want to give them an experience that will make them involved.”

Nigeria is currently facing a second wave of the highly contagious virus and there are concerns that the sports festival could be shifted again.