The Torch of Unity campaign, which marks the start of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), dubbed “Delta 2022,” has been launched off by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The President expressed his excitement for the upcoming Festival during the event held on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing it as the “engine room” for creating outstanding champions who will represent the nation at international competitions.
He claimed that the National Sports Festival produced every notable athlete who has immortalized the nation’s name in gold, proving conclusively that the money the government spends on sports is not wasted.
The President thanked the Main Organising Committee (MON) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their dedication and perseverance in securing the successful hosting of the games in a speech delivered by Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
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Reiterating his administration’s dedication to the growth of sports in the nation, he explained that because sports have remained a platform for bringing Nigerians together, government will continue to fund it.
President Buhari praised the athletes for their outstanding performance at the Games as well as the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Nigerian Olympic Committee, under the direction of Engr. Habu Gumel.
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, referred to the Sports Festival earlier in his opening remarks as the Nigerian Olympics, when the greatest and the brightest athletes are chosen to represent the nation at international competitions.
He added that the Touch of Unity Movement, which was launched today by the President, would pass through all 36 of the Federation’s states, including the Federal Capital Territory, before arriving in Delta, the festival’s host state.
Dare praised Delta State’s good citizens for their silence in sports and dedication to organizing a successful festival. He also commended the Executive Governor.
He urged Nigerians who love sports and corporate organizations to work with the government to promote sports for the sake of our kids.
In a separate speech, Delta State’s executive governor, senator Ifeanyi Okowa, reaffirmed his state’s willingness to host the best festival, which will lead to a spectacular 2024 Olympic performance.
According to him, sports are a symbol of peace and national unity, and as such, the State will do everything in its power to ensure the most peaceful, exceptional, and powerful sports festival ever held in Nigeria.
The leading sporting State in the competitions, Delta State, was called upon to compete with the other participating States.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, praised Nigerian female athletes for representing their nation with pride at the recently finished Commonwealth Games in her message of goodwill at the occasion.
She urged them to make sure they hold the lead throughout the upcoming event.