The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has moved to dispel the news that the ongoing National Sports Festival is at the risk of suspension just three days into its commencement due to lack of funds by the Edo State Government.
The ministry released a statement through its Assistant Director Press, Ramon Balogun that the games will go on as scheduled and that the ministry is unaware of any plans or threat to shut down the festival as there has been no official meeting or communication that relayed such information.
Stakeholders in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development including the honorable minister, Mr Sunday Dare are at the center of the games in Benin and expect to receive formal invitation from the state government should any heed arise. None of such has been received.
The ministry also confirmed that the Edo State government due to the cost implications of postponements occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic requested financial assistance from the Federal government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
The Ministry has since been at work to secure the financial assistance which it believes is being processed. “The MYSD and EDSG are determined to deliver a successful National Sports Festival.” the statement concludes.