BY OGONNAYA UMEHAM,ABUJA
As part of effort to have a hitch free National Sports Festival in Edo state, the Federal Ministry of Youths , Sports Developement and the Edo State government in a meeting held recently have agreed to the following guidelines to ensure the success of the event.
Similarly, not less than 8,000 participants are expected to participate in the games as a result of COVID-19 protocol.
These was revealed in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, of the National Sports Festival, Deputy Governor, Edo State, Rt Honourable Philip Shaibu.
According to him, the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) has decided that all athletes and officials from the 35 states and the federal Capital Territory (FCT), participating in the National Sports Festival must take COVID 19 tests 72 hours before arrival for the tournament.
They are to take COVID vaccine at least 12 days before arrival for the tournament.
Other guildlines includes; the Games Village would be opened on April 2, 2021, for athletes and officials and they are to present certificates and documentation of COVID-19 tests and vaccination before they can be admitted into the Games Villages in the state.
Also, the torch of unity he said would arrive the State on April 3, and would go round the 18 local governments in the state.
It would also arrive the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Main bowl on April 6th, where the governor would light it up.
Most importantly, in line with COVID -19 protocol, the number of athletes and officials expected to participate in the games he said have been reduced from 14,000 to 8,000 participants.
Officials of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) he explained would arrive Benin City four days to the commencement of the festival,to monitor compliance with COVID-19 guildlines.
All non pharmaceutical measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 he explained further would be provided for by the state government at the various venues and camps.
Attendance at the games he noted would be strictly regulated and the general public is advised to follow the activities across media platforms including social platforms as it would be streamed live.
The state government he noted and the ministry have agreed that the tag-line for the games remain ‘Edo 2020’ despite the postponement occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.
In conclusion, the government and Ministry he said has agreed that Nigeria’s contingent for the Olympics would be camped in the state for preparation for the games, to take advantage of the world-class equipment and facilities in the state.