Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki has described his ambition to host a successful 20th National Sports Festival as a zeal that is akin to the fighting spirit of British pilots and army during World War 2.
Sports247.ng reports that Obaseki alluded to the war speeches of then British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, which fired up the allied forces through the trenches and air to stop Nazi Germany’s march.
Obaseki went on to declare that the same fighting spirit will drive Edo State on towards not only keeping the schedule for preparations but also better the high marks they made in 1973 when they first hosted.
Edo State finished in third place behind Rivers State and winners, Delta State at the just concluded 2018 edition of the festival hosted in Abuja.
Obaseki thanked the Federal Government for reposing confidence in Edo State by handing it hosting rights to the 2020 festival.
The governor went into history by drawing a comparison between the determination of his state to do everything possible to deliver and the British pilots whose sustained bombing of German lines and facilities during the Second World War, helped tilt the war in the Allies favour.
Obaseki said: “Taking a cue from the great British statesman, I and the people of Edo State assure you that the confidence reposed in us would be justified.
“There won’t come a time anyone will have cause to regret this momentous decision you have taken to hand us this hosting right.
“Like the valiant British fighter pilots of World War II, we will take every step necessary, make every sacrifice needed, and climb every height necessary to deliver the best Games in the Sports Festival.”
