Team Kaduna departed Kaduna on Saturday for the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) with 400 athletes and officials, as the state government charged the team to be good ambassadors of the state.
Team Kaduna will participate in 27 individual and team sports at the Edo 2020 Festival scheduled to hold from April 2 to 14, 2021 in Benin City, Edo state capital.
The state will participate in Ayo, Athletics, Badminton, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, Dart, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kick Boxing, Karate, Kokowa, Kung Fu, Paralifting, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
Bidding the contingent farewell before their departure at the Ministry of Sports Development, the Kaduna state Commissioner for Sports Development, Professor Kabir Mato, urged the team to be good ambassadors of the state, play by the rules and ensure they return back to the state with laurels.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Sports, Malam Yakubu Ibrahim, wished all the athletes podium finish.
“We are aware of the athletes’ state of readiness and patriotism, sacrifice, hard work, and personal dedication who chose to stand with the Kaduna state, I want you to keep the spirit high to make us proud.
“I want to assure you all of the unflinching support of Kaduna state government under Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai. I also want to thanks all who made the journey possible,” he said.
The Commissioner urged the team to demonstrate the resilient spirit of top athletes by being ever ready to endure and prevail against all odds to a resounding success at the Festival.
Professor Kabir Mato prayed for injury free events and urged the athletes and officials to strictly observe the COVID-19 protocols and stay safe.
Kaduna is one of the states bidding for 2022 edition of sports festival.
