Akpan Umoh
The Akwa Ibom State Government has despatched 242 athletes to compete in 29 events in the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival, which began on April 2 in Edo State.
The Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Monday Uko, who addressed the athletes and officials before departure on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, added that the athletes were fully prepared to win medals in the competition.
According to Uko, the athletes had been prepared since last year when the festival was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the world.
He urged the athletes to put on their best during the festival, assuring them that Gov. Udom Emmanuel has promised to reward every medal won during the competition.
Uko stated that the state governor has approved all the requests concerning their welfare, to keep them in optimum performance during the festival.
“As you are aware, the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival would have been held since last year 2020. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 stalled all preparations, but thank God the festival will be officially declared open on April 6.
“I charge you to be good ambassadors of Akwa Ibom State, put in the best of your ability to come back with medals and make the State proud.
“All arrangements concerning your welfare had been taken care of, your officials will provide you with all your needs. You must be good ambassadors of the State while in Edo State, Uko said.
The commissioner said that all the athletes and officials have undergone COVID-19 test and have been vaccinated to ensure non of the athlete was disqualified.
He assured that the contingent would do the state proud as Team Akwa Ibom was ready and fully prepared for the national sports festival.
Responding on behalf of the athletes, Wisdom Benjamin, thanked the State Governor and people for the honour done them to represent the state during the Edo 2020.
Benjamin assured the state government and Akwa Ibom people that the contingent would come back with many medals to make the state proud.