Latest news on national sports festival edo 2020
The National Sports Festival (NSF) is a biennial multi-sport event held in Nigeria, and the 2020 edition was held in Edo State from March 22 to April 1, 2020. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the festival:
Cancellation of the Festival: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 National Sports Festival was cancelled by the Federal Government of Nigeria in March 2020. The decision was made to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect the health and safety of athletes, officials, and spectators.
Rescheduling of the Festival: In October 2020, the Federal Government announced that the 2020 National Sports Festival would be rescheduled for December 2020. However, the festival was eventually postponed again to 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.
New Dates for the Festival: In January 2021, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development announced that the 2020 National Sports Festival would be held from April 2 to April 17, 2021. The festival was finally held in April 2021, with athletes from 37 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participating.
Medal Table: According to the official results, Lagos State emerged as the overall winner of the festival, winning a total of 143 medals (44 gold, 54 silver, and 45 bronze). Edo State, the host state, finished second on the medal table, winning 114 medals (34 gold, 41 silver, and 39 bronze).
Notable Performances: Some notable performances at the festival included:
- Deborah Oboh, a 16-year-old athlete from Edo State, set a new national record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.45 seconds.
- The Edo State team won gold medals in the men's and women's 4x100m relays, with times of 39.45 seconds and 44.45 seconds, respectively.
- The Lagos State team won gold medals in the men's and women's 4x400m relays, with times of 3:06.45 minutes and 3:33.45 minutes, respectively.
Impact of the Festival: The National Sports Festival has been described as a platform for identifying and developing young talents in Nigeria. The festival has also been credited with promoting unity and national integration among Nigerian athletes and teams.