Delta state governor and Chief host of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has showered encomiums on the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare for his commitment to sports development in Nigeria.
Speaking in Asaba, Delta state capital at the unveil ceremony of the mascot and logo of the NSF Delta 2022 on Wednesday, Governor Okowa also congratulated Dare for the giant strides made for the country.
His words: “I must truly thank the Honourable Minister for the way he is taking sports development in this nation. He has brought a high level of commitment to sports development in Nigeria yet he remains so humble in his approach.
“I believe that is the reason why some of us are very much encouraged to work with him to see what best can be done for Nigeria. We notice the work he is doing and are proud of him in this respect.”
Governor Okowa also revealed that the Sports Minister was one of the major reasons Delta state never hesitated to support Nigerian athletes and sports generally anytime the Ministry comes calling.
In his address much earlier, the Sports Minister Sunday Dare thanked Governor Okowa for always being there for Nigerian sportsmen and women, praising him for his commitment to sports development in an era where most of his colleagues still regard sports as mere recreation or ‘play, play’.
“You stand head and shoulders high among your peers when it comes to your courage and commitment in this area. And we know for sure that you will bring all these to bear in the execution of the 21st National Sports Festival in November 2022,” Dare said.
Over Sixteen thousand (16,000) athletes from across the country will converge on Delta State to compete for medals in 40 sports from November 2 – 15, 2022.
