FG, Enugu sign MoU for hosting of 23rd national sports festival

…As Gov Mbah assures world class hosting

Enugu state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, Tuesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Government, sealing the agreement for the state to host the 23rd National Sports Festival coming in 2026.

With the signing of the agreement which took place at Government House, Enugu, the state has now secured full hosting rights for the event

Speaking , Governor Mbah thanked the National Sports Commission for the confidence reposed in the state to host the event. He promised that the state government will discharge its hosting credibly in a way that would leave a lifelong memory and experience on the athletes and all lovers of sports in Nigeria and beyond.

Pix: Gov Mbah ( middle) signing the MoU, while Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ekweremadu ( 1st left) and DG, NSC, Olopade( R)

He said the state government had embarked on revamping existing facilities and constructing more in preparation for the hosting.

We also appreciate the value and significance of this award. I want to commend the commission for finding Enugu worthy of being the next host of the 23rd National Sports Festival. We are going to discharge ourselves creditably.

Pix: Gov Mbah (L) signing the MoU. Olopade(R)

“As you know, we like to be a role model as a state that gained preeminence over 115 years ago. We will not want to let our forebears down. We will live up to that standard.

“We have already set forth at dawn. Immediately that announcement was made, we mobilised our team. We are already working on revamping the Awgu Games Village and a whole lot. We have decided to deliver a brand new Games Village. We are also completely renovating the stadium to brand new.

“We are making sure that by the time you come here by the end of this year, you are going to be highly impressed. It is not revamping, rebranding or re-equipping, but we are also going to build additional facilities to the existing one. We are looking forward to having a word-class experience befitting the sports men and women, making our hosting a lifelong memory and experience,” he stated.

Earlier , the leader of the delegation, and Director -General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, who signed on behalf of the Commission, commended Governor Mbah for his good works in the state , which necessitated President Tinubu ‘s recent visit to the state

He said the commission was encouraged by Enugu’s bid, available facilities, improved security in the state, and Governor Mbah’s determination to turn around the sports and social infrastructure to grant Enugu the right to host the event after the 22nd edition to be hosted

Olopade noted that the hosting would boost investment and tourism in the state before, during, and after the event.

Author: Maureen Ikpeama

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