The confirmation of the host city by the minister was held on Monday, February 4 at the Abuja National Stadium.

At the host confirmation which was open to the media, the National Sports Festival rules and regulations were stated.

In a report by This Day, Dalung addressed the situation and what is expected from the organizers.

He said, “As contained in my letter of invitation to bid for the hosting rights to successfully host the National Sports Festival, Edo State is required to among other things, put in place a Local Organising Committee and subcommittees as it deems fit.

“Provide befitting board and lodge for members of the MOC, Games Services Sub-Committee and the MOC Secretariat for the duration of the festival, ensure the security of lives and property of all dignitaries, athletes, officials, spectators, guests, etc throughout the period of the festival.

”They are also to ensure the physical availability of the approved facilities for all the sports on the official Programme and provide accommodation for accredited athletes and officials including facilities for central feeding.”

Godwin Obaseki Edo State Governor stated that they would try to match up to the needs of the competition after a successful tournament by Abuja.

He said, “We will not take this lightly. Being a state with history in sports, we clearly understand the implications and full ramifications of the hosting right.

“We, as Bendel State were an integral part of the idea of formulating the National Sports Festival after the civil war, so we are very cognisant of the goals and purpose of the sports festival which is to build unity and patriotism, particularly, amongst young people in Nigeria, to develop their sporting talents and also for this Festival to serve as a hunting ground or recruitment base for talents at the grassroots level.”

He stated that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium will be refurbished and ready with all the requirements to host a successful tournament scheduled for March 2020.

He said, “The Samuel Ogbemudia stadium has been covered. We have replaced the tartan tracks and the football pitch is being renewed, so we are prepared as a state to host this festival.

“We realised that as the first state to host after the re-establishment of the games, we need to set a new standard.”