Ass The 2022 National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State is closer, the participating states are working hard to raise the level of performances higher than the last edition in Edo.
Well done to the team, PUNCH he confirmed that the state contingent would on Tuesday (today) go to closed camp at the Ondo State Gymnasium, Akure, where they will finalize their preparations.
The Director General of the Ondo State Sports Council, Henry Babatunde, confirmed this PUNCH At the Asaba Games, there will be a parade of 129 athletes in 20 sports from Ondo State.
According to him, the selection of events and the number of athletes were reached strategically to gain a competitive advantage.
Some of the sports he listed as areas of strength for the state are wrestling, table tennis, judo, swimming and taekwondo.
“What we have now is more than what we had at the last festival. So, this time, Ondo is hopeful that we will do well in the Games,” said Babatunde.
“We have high hopes that we will have medals for anything related to water. I can brag that we cannot have less than eight medals in aquatics at the Games.
“Our level of preparation is very high, and that will determine what we will achieve. We have qualified trainers and athletes on the ground”, he added.
Ondo finished 11th in Edo 2020 with 10 gold, nine silver and 25 bronze medals.
In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, preparations seem to be in two phases as the State looks to host the next edition of the Games, as well as garner more medals in Asaba 2022.
An official of the Oyoko State Sports Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated: “The last time we went to Edo, we did 26 sports, but this time we did 32.
“Last time we finished in sixth place, and it will be the joy of the governor to improve on that this year. Realistically, we aim higher and our athletes are well motivated. They were rewarded after the last festival and they know it will be the same after this one. So there is a tendency to perform better than before.”
The 21st edition of the National Sports Festival will be held from November 28 to December 10 in Asaba, Delta State.
