About 800 athletes from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti state have arrived in Osun state for the zonal elimination tournament for the upcoming 21st National Sports Festival.
It will serve as the pathway for the selection of some athletes that will represent the South West region in some specific sports comes November.
These athletes will compete in various sports including football, basketball, handball, volleyball, hockey, base/softball and beach volleyball to book their sports in “Nigeria mini Olympics” billed for next month.
The 21st National Sports Festival was initially scheduled to hold on between 2-15 November but the date was postponed to 28 November till 10 December after the organisers cited some facilities will not be available before before the initial date.
According to a statement seen by BSN Sports, the South West zonal qualification for the National Sports Festival will officially start at the Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ileogbo on Tuesday.
While expressing his excitement about the, the Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, Engr Olanrewaju Adeleke said:
“We are delighted that all ball games of southwest zonal qualification of the National Sports Festival (tagged Delta 2022), will be hosted at the Lanreleke Sports Academy in Ileogbo and Bowen University.
“It will be a beehive of activities here at the Lanreleke Sports facility in the next four days, as seven ball games will be hosted here.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the Planning Committee members for their commitment as we showcase our facility to the world.
“Here at the Lanreleke Sports Academy, we are raising talents to become future champions. 58 students were offered admission in our maiden session, this year about 65 students have gained admission and they are all on full scholarships.
“The closing ceremony is billed for Bowen University, as the two institutions have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of academy and sports.”
Osun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Azeez Olayemi Lawal charges the officials to embrace fairness while itemizing the importance of the event.
“There are a lot of benefits the event will accord the State, economic boost of Ileogbo, showcasing the facilities within the state, as well as making friends among the participants.
“The organizers and officials must maintain fairness in their judgment as this is the only panacea through which the best teams (athletes) that will do the zone proud can be identified.”
