The 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) hosted by Edo State will come to an end on Wednesday April 14, 2021 and would no doubt leave behind a lasting economic benefits to the heartbeat state.
From the buzz of preparation to arrival of delegates and the aesthetic opening ceremony on April 2, the sporting events to all intent and purposes provided a platform for national unity and pride- irrespective of tribe or religion.
The event which was originally billed for March 2020, was postponed due to outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
Over 8,000 contingents from across the country participated in the sporting events thereby bringing increased spending and cash flow to the state.
The contingents who are spread among seven centers in the Benin metropolis would be engaged in 38 competitive games ranging from taekwondo, boxing, swimming, football amongst others.
Blueprint observed that the sporting events have also opened up patronage in the hospital and transportation sector of the state’s economy- with operators and investors smiling to the banks.
At the various centers visited by our correspondent, food vendors and dealers of techno, clothes, shoes, water and other consumables are making brisk business arising from increased sales.
The return Of bubbling night life in the state capital, Benin City is also exciting residents following increased security presence and the lifting of corona virus pandemic curfew at night.
“We are happy that our amiable governor in his wisdom saw the economic benefits of hosting the NSF and so therefore bidded and was granted the hosting rights”, Chief Odion Olaye, Edo state chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) said.
Olaye said: “for us in the transport sector, it’s a win, win situation. My members are happy and I am happy. And I have ensured that we all collectively maintain best global standard of road transport safety.”
However, it was a mixed feelings for operators of the hospitality industry as most of them were shot out of patronage due to location and downsizing of contingents (officials and athletes) from an estimated 50, 000 contingents to 8,000 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“In our own case, we lost out of patronage due to location of my hotel which is about eight kilometers from Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the closest sporting venue”, Mr. Emmauel Aiguobasimwin, spokesman Baden- Baden hotel said.
According to him, only hotels located within the venues of the sporting events enjoined 100 percent patronage… That is not to say that the whole 8,000 contigents were lodged in hotels.
“Each states lodged their officials in hotels, while the athletes were camped in designated school hostels in Benin City, while Edo state government provided logistics and the enabling environments.”
