The Kogi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Idris Musa has charged athletes in the state to go for gold and make the state proud in the 20th Edition of the Nations Sports Festival, Edo 2020.
Musa gave the charge while addressing Kogi State contingents at the Confluence Stadium on Saturday morning.
The Sport Commissioner, while stressing that the athletes are currently in high spirit in view of their preparation for the biennial sports competition in the country, expressed optimism that Kogi State will shock other states in the competition.
While reminding the contingents to be a good ambassador of the new direction administration led by Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the commissioner appreciated the State Government for making funds available for athletes to show case their talent in Edo State.
“Go to Edo State and make Kogi State proud. With the crops of talent am seeing today, I am confident that our State will be banking gold in the various sporting event they will be compete.
“Let me remind you all, a good name is better than all the accumulated wealth in the world. Kogi State has been a role model to others, so am urging you am to go out their, make the state proud by bringing medal.
“It will be on record that under my watch as the Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Kogi State and his Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, Kogi sports and athletes will witness face lift compared to was obtainable in the past,” he stressed.
Adding his voice, the Kogi State Sports Director, Mr Obakachi Onipe Halli assured the commissioner that athletes in the state are fully ready for the competition.
According to him, 41 athletes, 35 officials will be representing in state in the National Sports Festival.
Speaking on behalf of other athletes, Miss Sarah Mathew, a Weight lifter lauded the State Government for their support to participate in the sport festival.
She assured that they would put in all their best to make the state proud.
Kogi state will be featuring inBoxing, Weight lifting, boxing, Chess, Ayo, Table tennis and Tennis.
The 20th Edition of the National Sports festival Edo 2020, is scheduled to take place between 2nd April to 14th 2021.
