Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has promised that the state will send a strong contingent to the 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja.
Sports247.ng reports that Ambode stated as much while receiving the festival’s Torch of Unity in Lagos, during which he also noted that it was a symbolic return to the last host state.
With that on record, Ambode noted that the last stage of activities have been concluded before the festival begins on December 6, hence his charge to athletes and coaches from The Centre of Excellence to ensure they make him proud in Abuja.
Ambode added that sports remain a veritable tool to engender unity and cohesion that Nigeria needs, hence his delight that the sports festival is eventually back, after the 2012 edition held in Lagos.
He appealed to politicians to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship in the coming general elections, saying beyond winning at the polls, the real essence of the exercise is to create a stronger bond among Nigerians.
The Lagos governor said: “It is my pleasure to receive the festival torch of unity and this signals the commencement of the 19th National Sports Festival that would take place in Abuja.
“Just like what we have been told, the last festival was held here in Lagos six years ago and being the last host, this is the last point of call before the torch goes back to Abuja.
“We have a very strong contingent that we are sending to the festival because we believe strongly that sports is a veritable tool that we can use to command the unity and the cohesion that this nation actually needs at this time.”
