BY Olufemi Atoyebi
Sunday Dare, the minister of youth and sports development, says the 2020 edition of the national sports festival may be held in staggered version and in phases.
In a statement sent by the media team of the ministry, Dare said the ministry is still making consultation with relevant authorities on COVID-19 safety protocols before picking a date for the hosting of the festival, adding that contrary to some media reports, the festival has not been indefinitely postponed.
The festival was earlier scheduled to be held in March 2020 in Benin City, Edo state, but it had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement sent by the media team of the ministry, Dare said the festival could be held in staggered version and in phases.
The minister said, “We are considering a staggered festival spanning several weeks and athletes batched, no fans and strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocol. While we are committed to holding the festival, we do not want to endanger the lives of athletes and officials.
“Consultations are ongoing between the ministry, the Edo state government, the presidential task force on Covid-19 and the National Council on Sports to decide on a new date to host the Festival.
“Like we did by consulting with the PTF on Covid-19 when we lifted the ban on non-contact sports and later contact sports, discussions are ongoing to decide on a new date for the festival. The fake news that the festival has been postponed indefinitely must have emanated from a false source.”
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