Edo 2020, Marriage Of Sports And Culture

Edo state  is renowned  for her rich culture  and sports pedigree which had resulted  in the discovery  of superstars in sports, arts, culture and music.

The host state lived up to her reputation during the opening  ceremony  of the  Edo  2020 National Sports Festival with a blend of  cultural performances at the opening ceremony on Tuesday 6th April 2021. The rich cultural  heritage  of Edo and all the states of the Federation came alive with dances, music  and cultural  displays which symbolize unity in diversity.

The rich culture and sports record  was captured by Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari with a message that sports can unify and be used as a capsule for Youth empowerment,  creating  jobs and arresting  drifting  from the  tenets of grassroots sports Development. 

Edo State Governor  Godwin Obaseki  echoed  the fact that sports had come back to its roots with the assertion: Sport is back home. 

According to Dare, in pursuit of unity and development of Nigerian youth, the National sports festival #NSF2020 offers a unique opportunity to explore Sports development  beyond more than a  game.

In the words of the Minister:  "Nigerians will have the opportunity to see some of our best young talents compete in  32 sports events amongst 36 states plus the FCT."

"You have seen the performance this evening and for the next twelve days we will see our young talents compete.

“We hope that from this competition and Festival, we can find some stars that will eventually represent this country."

"I just want to say that  Sports  is a uniter, Sports promotes peace and  employs millions of our youth."

While affirming President Buhari's  commitment to sports development, Dare reiterated: "Like the president promised, he will continue to support sports development so  that our youth can be engaged productively ans to  have a career in sports."

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Dare further said  "This Festival  sign posts the future  when athletes  discovered here would be able to compete with  the best in the world.

“I look forward to  this Festival  producing notable  superstars like we have had in the past.

“It is also a unique  opportunity  to invest in  our sports infrastructure to create the right mix."