3 Days to National Festival: Niger State Contingent Yet to Enter Camp
By Nura Mohammed Minna
With only three days remaining until the National Sports Festival begins in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, the Niger State contingent has not yet entered closed camp.
The National Sports Festival is Nigeria’s premier multi-sport event, bringing together athletes from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It is a vital platform for discovering talent that can represent the country in international competitions.
Suleiman Isah, a stakeholder in Niger State’s sports sector, shared this information with journalists on Monday. He expressed concern that the state’s athletes may again struggle to make a significant impact at the festival due to this delay.
Isah highlighted that late preparations have been a recurring issue for Niger State in past editions of the festival.
He urged the state government to take urgent action, warning that continued neglect could hinder sports development in the state.
An investigation revealed that the State Ministry of Sports has requested necessary funding from the Niger State Government, but there had been no official response as of the time of reporting.
When contacted, Nuhu Ngaski, the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Sports Development, stated that he was unaware of the current situation because he had traveled out of Minna. Nevertheless, he assured that the government remains committed to addressing the matter.
Ngaski mentioned that before his departure, he had implemented measures to ensure the state’s participation in the festival.
At the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival, held in Asaba, Delta State in December 2022, Niger State athletes won a total of 14 medals—3 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze—finishing 19th on the overall medals table.
