The Federal Government has debunked the report stating that the Edo state government plans to shutdown the National Sports Festival due to lack of funds, saying it was not aware of the threat.
Recall that the Local Organizing Committee for Edo 2020 sports fiesta had earlier announced that the national sports festival billed to end on the 14th of April will now end on Thursday, 8 April due to lack of support from the federal government.
Reacting in a statement, the Assistant Director, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Ramon Balogun said the federal government is not aware of any plans by the Edo state government to shut down the sports festival.
The statement added that the Edo State Government was expected to formally invite the ministry for a meeting on any matter of urgency concerning the sports festival.
Part of the statement read, “The Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has clarified that the 20th National Sports Festival, Edo 2020, is going on as planned with competitions going on as scheduled.
“The Ministry and the Main Organizing Committee for the festival are unaware of any plans or threat by the Edo State Government to shut down the sports festival as there has been no official meeting that relayed such information.
“The Honorable Minister, Permanent Secretary and Directors are on ground in Benin City where the Festival is holding, and it is expected that the Edo State Government would formally invite the Ministry for a meeting should any urgency exist around the National Sports Festival.”
