The 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), dubbed “Delta 2022,” has released its mascot “logo” with the theme “Uniting Nigeria, Inspiring New Generation,” according to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
At the festival’s unveiling ceremony, which took place at the Delta State Government House in Asaba, the honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, described it as a national event whose primary goal is to advance our nation’s socio-cultural integration in order to strengthen national unity.
He praised the Delta State Government and its fine citizens for their tenacity in sports, which has helped them rise to the top spot in the nation after winning the Festival seven times since its beginning in 1973.
The Minister reiterated the Ministry’s confidence in the human and material resources of the State to host a sterling festival, adding that with the unveiling of the Mascot today, “there is an assurance that the State is fully prepared not only to host the festival but to also ensure that it suffers no set back”
According to him, “When Delta won the hosting right we were pleased because we know they have the resources and human capacity it takes to put up a sterling sports festival. The State was prepared to host the event in the best possible way and it was also an assurance that our National Sports Festival will not suffer another set back”.
Dare urged Delta State Government not to back down from its assault on sports while reiterating the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s unwavering support and commitment to the growth of sports in the nation. He added that the unveiling of the mascot is a landmark achievement intended to give the festival the atmosphere and Midas touch needed for an event promising to be a huge success.
The National Sports Festival is being held by the State for the first time, according to Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) of the Game.
Speaking on behalf of the Main and Local Organizing Committees of the Games, Mr. Peter Nelson, Director of the National Sports Festival and Para Sports (NSF& PS) and Secretary of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), said that the committees are made up of qualified and experienced individuals who will oversee preparations for the games. He also noted that they have been working assiduously to ensure a trouble-free and successful hosting of the event.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the event’s success and urged the State Government and all stakeholders to keep working together to make sure the festival runs smoothly.
Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, stated in his remarks that the state government is committed to staging the most spectacular sports festival in the nation.
“Delta State has always come out best, both in playing and hosting the game of Sports and with the spectacular hosting of the Asaba 2018 Continental game which earned us global accolade in our facilties, we will put in our best to ensure that superiority is retained in the country”, he said
The Governor commended the present administration for its commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria and therefore called on the Ministry not to relent in its support and effort towards the success of the Festival.