Desmond Iwuchukwu
The Delta State Government has unveiled the mascot for the 2022 National Sports Festival in an elaborate and colourful ceremony in Asaba.
The National Sports Festival is a biennial multi-sport event organized by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Sports Commission for athletes from the 36 States of Nigeria.
The event which took place on Wednesday night in Asaba, Delta State had in attendance, the Delta State Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare, and a host of other important dignitaries.
The Chief host and the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa during the unveiling ceremony promised that Asaba will put up a show that the whole country will be proud of when the National Sports Festival begins later in the year.
According to him, “The National Sports Festival is Nigeria’s version of the Olympic Games and Delta will make it an unforgettable experience for everyone.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare said the National Sports Festival NSF is no longer an event that would go unnoticed in the country.
His words: “The National Sports Festival must come with pomp, pageantry and colourful ceremonies. It is no longer a corridor event. It is a classy event reminiscent of the Olympic Games.
“Asaba is really ready with the unveiling of the Games Mascot. These are some of the little details obtainable at the Olympics and it is on display here in Delta State.”
Sunday Dare further charged the various committees to ensure that the 2022 National Sports Festival delivers a world-class competition that sets a standard for the future through its planning and execution.
The unveiling of the mascot officially flags off the marketing activities of the Games scheduled to hold in November 2022.
The game was originally conceived in 1973 as a “unifying tool” with the main purpose of promoting peace and cross-cultural affiliation in Nigeria after the Nigerian Civil War in 1970.