Buhari Declares 21st National Sports Festival Closed ...Delta leads

By Goodluck Ikiebe

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared the 21st Edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged 'Delta 2022" closed, with Team Delta, the Defending Champion maintaining the lead as overall winner of the competition with 649 medals (320 gold, 200 silver  and 120 bronze), while  Bayelsa clinched the second position with 337 medals (132 gold, 115 silver, 90 bronze) and Edo, third with 339 medals  (78 gold, 94 silver, 167 bronze).

While declaring the Festival closed on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, the President congratulated the Team for its outstanding performance at the event and was quick to add that "as Sportsmen and women, we have been trained to accept defeat at a Sports event as a challenge to do better next time, therefore we are all winners. 

"With that, I congratulate all the Athletes,  Coaches, Technical and other Officials for making the Festival a memorable one"

 Represented by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the President saluted the Government and people of the State for hosting the best National Sports Festival in recent times as well as for the high standard facilities provided for the Games.

"I salute the Government and people of Delta State for the successful organization of the best National Sports Festival. 

"I commend His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and his team for the high standard of facilities provided for the Festival. I urge you to be creative in putting the facilities to good use that can generate revenue for the coffers of the State Government".

Buhari stated further that 

Sports has over the years proven to be an enabler for economic activities in the Host State and community, adding that it has also fast-tracked the provision of infrastructure and led to the development of new cities and therefore urged all States of the Federation and the FCT to continue to partner the Federal Government in its sports development efforts so that together as a nation, we can attain our sports development vision.

Following the evaluation of the bids and the physical visitation to the prospective States, President Muhammadu Buhari announced Ogun State as the next host for the National Sports Festival in 2024. 

He congratulated the Government and people of the State for emerging the preferred State and wished them the best of luck in the organization of the 22nd Edition of the Sports Festival.

Speaking earlier,  the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting Delta State the opportunity to host the event and assured that the State will use the facilities on ground  to genetate revenue for the development of Sports and other competitions.

The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, expressed satisfaction over the excellent performance of the athletes that made the State the leading champion.

The Governor wishes all athletes and officials safe journey back to their destination.