The 19th National Sports Festival (NSF) fixed for December 6 -16, 2018 in Abuja, would hold notwithstanding the recent deadly clash between the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and the Nigerian Army in the nation’s capital.

Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Olusade Adesola gave the assurance while briefing newsmen on the preparation for the national sporting fiesta in his office, yesterday.

Adesola said the sports festival which had suffered several postponements since 2012 due to the failure of the initial host state, Cross River to host the festival six years after it was granted the hosting rights, would hold next month in Abuja as every necessary arrangement for a hitch-free event is being perfected.

No fewer than 17,623 participants, comprising 11, 673 athletes, 2,801 coaches, 2,166 team officials and 983 state delegates have registered to participate in 37 sporting events from December 6 – 16 in the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the protest by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) was not a breach of security in the FCT and the 19th National Sports Festival tagged: Aso Unity Games 2018, would provide an opportunity for the country to reclaim the festival and return it to the original objective of breeding and developing talents into international stardom.


“The necessary arrangements have been put in place for the games and 95 percent ready to go. So, 11, 673 athletes, 2,801 coaches, 2,166 team officials and 983 state delegates from the 36 States and FCT have registered for the games and the registration portal has been closed.

“All hands are on desk to sensitize Nigerians for the games and what happened last week in Abuja between security operatives and Islamic Movement in Nigeria was not a breach of security and cannot be a threat to the hosting sports festival in Abuja. But notwithstanding, we are collaborating with all the security agencies in the country to ensure a hitch free event.”

“What is important to us is to use this 19th Festival, as an opportunity to discover and unleash for this country a new generation of athletes.”

https://leadership.ng/2018/11/06/shiite-military-clash-wont-affect-sports-festival/

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