The General Manager of the Ekiti State Sports Council, Chief Deji Samo has expressed confidence in the ability of the State contingents to perform well at the forthcoming National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Abuja between 6th and 18th December, 2018.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti, Chief Samo, who said 150 athletes will represent the State in 17 events at the festival, revealed that the State’s contingents would take part in athletics, para-athletics, weight-lifting, golf, badminton, boxing, and chess. Others include gymnastics, judo, karate, kick-boxing, kung-fu, para-powerlifting, scrabble, table tennis and traditional Ayo Sport.
The GM explained that the athletes have gone through zonal elimination rounds which qualified them for the festival. He added that the elimination rounds were conducted in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.
Chief Samo was however hopeful that the State Government would continue to encourage the young athletes to bring honour to theState.
He described Governor Fayemi as a man of honour who is very passionate about Sports and the general well-being of youths in the State.
Samo stressed that Sports has become a veritable tool for youth development globally, emphasising that tapping into the potentials offered by sports would curb youth restiveness, boost unity and provide employment opportunities as well as possibilities for scholarships to the benefit of the State.
The Game’s Torch would be received by Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ado Ekiti on the 23rd November as it moves round the country before finally berthing in Abuja for the finals of the game.
Packaged by Omotoyosi Jesuleye
