The 20th edition of the National Sports Festival will hold in Edo State in March 2020 and preparations for a successful hosting are well under way in the state.
Following a technical joint meeting for the national showpiece, which held in Edo in December, the technical director of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Coach Rotimi Akinloye, revealed that a substantial amount of work has already been done in readiness for the annual event.
“Essentially, it’s to check the readiness of the host state, Edo,” Coach Akinloye said of the technical joint meeting. “And as far as tennis facilities are concerned, I think they are almost, let’s say 70% of the works are completed.” The technical director added that they’ll be able to meet up with the completion before March.
On what needs to be completed, Akinloye, who is also the national head coach, said: “The four courts needs repainting, lining and they need to fix the net, that’s what is remaining. As for the Centre Court, they still need to do the casting and the laying and then paint the court.” He also noted that the inspection carried out is the final one before the festival commences in March.
John Atiomo—Nigeria’s Davis Cup captain—who’s based in Edo State, was there as an observer. Atiomo disclosed that there is going to be a significant change in this year’s event.
John Atiomo
“The highlight was that the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaibu, said that the previous festival were being operated in an analogue fashion but this time around this festival is going to be digital,” he said.
