Minister of Sports Solomon Dalung has tasked the Edo State government with ensuring standards are not compromised at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which is currently being refitted to host the National Sports Festival (NSF) in 2020.
The minister on an inspection tour of the proposed venue for the 20th NSF commended the state government for repurposing the stadium to cater to diverse needs in line with modern trends.
While predicting that the work being carried out at the stadium would make it one of the best sports facilities in the country, Dalung who was accompanied by the chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, however enjoined the state government to ensure that the best possible standards are adhered to in the course of the renovations.
“If [the refitting of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium] is brought to its logical conclusion, I think you will also have one of the best sporting complexes in the country, but what I would quickly suggest is that standards should not be compromised,” Dalung said.
Edo state was announced as the hosts of the 20th National Sports Festival after seeing off competition from Imo, Delta and Cross River states. It would be the third time the state would be hosting the games which have been likened to a mini Olympics. Edo State were hosts in 2002 and also hosted the 1981 edition as part of the old Bendel State.
