The Oyo State government has announced that it will field 296 athletes in 32 games at the upcoming 21st edition of the National Sports Festival dubbed “ASABA 2022,” which will take place from November 28 to December 10, 2022 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.

Honourable Gbenga Adewusi, Chairman of the Oyo State Sports Council, made the announcement on Tuesday at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Adamasingba, Ibadan.

According to the Sports Council’s Director of Media and Communication, Tunde Ajibike, fifty technical officials from Oyo State have been registered to officiate at the National Sports Festival, and the state is not leaving any stone unturned in order to emerge victorious and perform exceptionally well in the upcoming tournament.

He confirmed that some sports have already begun open camp to hone their skills and abilities.

Honourable Adewusi stated that the National Sports Festival serves as the Nigerian equivalent of the Olympics games, showcasing and nurturing the potential of the country’s upcoming athletes for the development of sports in Nigeria, while also serving as a breeding ground for the production of outstanding talent.

The Chairman went on to say that he is confident in the Oyo team’s victory because they have an enviable and exceptional track record in the past.

“They came fifth in the 2020 edition of National Sports Festival held in Benin city and also emerged second overall position in the first National Para Games tagged “Abuja 2022”.

“We are all basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of our three weightlifters that won gold, silver and bronze respectively at the Commonwealth games held in Birmingham recently”.

Honourable Adewusi stated that most of the known talents and outstanding stars who have made Nigeria proud were discovered during previous National Sports Festivals and thanked the Federal Government for continuing to hold the bi-annual National Sports Festivals.

Addressing the athletes during their training sessions, Honourable Adewusi tasked them with exceeding the standards set in previous editions.

“I will like to enjoin all the athletes to redouble your efforts to win more laurels for Oyo State, the state is looking forward to winning more gold medals that will facilitate representation of Nigeria in International tournaments in the foreseeable future”.

He also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for creating an enabling environment for new and progressive ideas to thrive in the sports sector, emphasizing that the remodelling and rehabilitation of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex and other five sports facilities across the state’s geopolitical zones have confirmed the state’s commitment to sports and sporting activities.

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