The Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Sunday Dare has described Delta State as the foremost sports state in the country.
Dare also said that Delta State provides 61 per cent of athletes in national sports.
The sports minister made this commendation yesterday at Asaba during the unveiling of the national sports festival logo and mascot at Unity Hall, Government House.
The Minister stated that apart from crude oil, sports development was a major gift of Delta State to the nation.
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his interest and investment in sports.
Said Dare : ‘I have been minister of youths and sports for three years but I have seen seven years of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa investment in sports development. Governor Okowa you tower above your colleagues in sports development and I call on you not to rest on your oars because you keep inspiring us’.
Dare also disclosed that this year competition will be hosting ‘Nigerian Olympics’, adding that forty different events would be competed for in 14 days with 16,700 athletes attending.
Speaking earlier, Senator Okowa affirmed that the state was prepared to host and win the competition.
The governor observed that the hosting of the festival was federal government recognition of the role of Delta as a leader and role model in sports development.
Okowa also said that sports facilities are been upgraded to meet international standard, maintaining that the theme of the festival ‘uniting Nigeria and inspiring the next generation’ was very apt.
His views:’Delta state as you are well aware has won every edition of the national youth Games and National Sports Festival in the past five years to confirm its position as the number one sporting state. We intend to continue this leadership as Delta hosts the entire sports men and women across the length and breadth of our country’.
