The Federal Government begins the process to domesticate National Sports Festival. This is as a result of states’ inability to host the festival as at when due. Previously, it was held interstates where a host state invites other states to participate.
The competition has suffered lots of setbacks since it was last hosted by Lagos State in 2012. The festival had had lots of postponement as the biennial competition had to be shifted due to inadequate funding among other excuses. The festival supported by National Sports Commission is an avenue for athletes all over the Federation to showcase their skills. It started as a unifying tool aimed as a promoter of peace and cross cultural affiliation since The Nigerian Civil War in 1970.
According to Vanguard Newspaper, The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung has declared that the Sports Festival would now be organized permanently in Abuja to avoid more embarrassing situations such as states not having the right infrastructure, improper planning and budgeting for the event, among others.
