Edo 2020: Kano to represent Northwest in 5 events

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Preparation is in top gear as 276 kano state’s contingents set to partake in the 20th National Sports Festivals tag Edo 2021.

Chairman Kano State Sports Commission, Ibrahim Galadima drop the hint yesterday while briefing news men ahead of the event slated to start 2nd – 14th of April 2021, in Benin the capital city of Edo state.

According to the Chairman “ the state is taking part in 22 games with 199 sports men and women and other accompanied officials making the total number of likely to be 276 or there about.

“ We are in the final stage, some of the athletes are outside kano for training because of the lack of facilities, like Swimmers, Jimnast, Cyclists are based in Lagos while some are in other parts of the country”.

But, Galadima said by March 29th all the athletes will arrive kano to meet Covid 19 protocol of testing and vaccinations, because they are ask to do the test three days before they arrive Benin.

“The vaccinations is to be held 12 days before the arrival, we have been undertaking the Vaccines since two days back i had my own on Tuesday.

“ The athletes have been going in batches to ensure we finished all those in Kano by this weekend, so that by the time others are coming on 29th of this month they will be able to have the vaccine and the test” said the Galadima.

He also added that, kano state teams been the champions at the zonal elimination stage are to represent northwestern Nigerian states in five events.

“ You are also aware that kano state is to represent northwest in 5 of the 6 team events, first Football male and female, hand ball, Volleyball and Rugby all of this kano has qualified.

“ Before now, the festival was allowing two states to represent each zone in team events, but this time because of Covid 19 pandemic it was decided to cut down the number of people going there so only the champion state will represent”.

Furthermore, former NFF boss said as part of the factors to motivate players and boost their morale the state government promise to maintain the gesture of giving out the sum of 500, 000 to winners of Gold, Silver 300,000 while Bronze winners will go home with 200,000 Naira each.

The kano state sports commission Chairman Alh Ibrahim Galadima has also thank the state government for providing funds despite dwindling economic situation for the success of team kano at the event.

Voice of Nigeria, recalled that Kano state finished 8th at the last 2018 National Sports Festivals hosted by the Nigeria’s Capital City Abuja.