In a Virtual meeting conveyed by the Sports Ministry to look into the EDO 2020 sports festival which was suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak has now set up 11-man committee made up of members of the COVID-19 Task Force, NCDC, Commissioners of Sports from the six geo-political zones of the country and representatives of the Sports Ministry for possible return date.
The virtual meeting chaired by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, revealed members opinion that although the COVID-19 pandemic was a source of concern, the Festival could go ahead if certain measures were put in place to contain the deadly virus
“We are ready to host the Festival, but other states may not be ready. The issue of health is something that we all must take seriously because human lives are involved,
Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Comrade Philip Shaibu said.
We are also looking at setting up an heath committee as isolation centres have been further expanded to bigger capacity. We have set up many testing centres that would screen athletes before and after games”.
The sports minister further added, “after months of uncertainty, we need to chart a new course for our sports, just like it is being done globally. Our final decision will be based on consultations with the Ministry of Health and the National Task Force on COVID-19.”
