'National Sports Festival Not Postponed  Indefinitely' - Minister of Youth and Sports

The upcoming Edo 2020 National sports festival has not been postponed indefinitely as the discussion on deciding a new date for the sporting event is still ongoing, Office of the Minister for Sports released.

"Edo  2020 National Sports Festival has been postponed indefinitely is false and unfounded", the Minister of youth and sports development office said.

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The sporting event was postponed earlier in March before the outbreak of the COVID-19 in Nigeria but with the reduction of cases in the country, it seems the event will be happening sooner rather than later.

A statement by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Media office clarified that consultations were ongoing between the Ministry, the Edo State Government, the PTF 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."

The statement further stated, "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. Be rest  assured that a decision would be taken in line with the Government's  guidelines in the best interest of  the common good of our sports and the athletes."

The  National  Sports Festival which was earlier scheduled to hold in March in Benin City, Edo State was postponed due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic which also affected social and economic activities.