Delta state prepares 1000 athletes for 21st National Sports Festival

Host, Delta State, is preparing a contingent of about 1,000 athletes, the largest number ever witnessed in the history of the National Sports Festival.

The 21st edition of the fiesta tagged Delta 2022, will run from November 28 to December 10.
Team Delta began its final phase of camping for the Games yesterday with about 1000 athletes scattered across all sports.

Head of Delta State athletics team, coach Seigha Porbeni disclosed yesterday that track and field athletes are using the Sapele Stadium as preparatory ground, and will relocate to Asaba on November 26, a few days to the opening ceremony.

‘We have about 950 to 1000 athletes at the moment preparing in the final phase. Series of construction work is going on at Stephen Keshi Stadium, which is the main venue of the Games. But luckily for us, Delta state has so many sporting facilities.

‘The former college of education, Asaba, is now a technical college for secondary school students. It has two big outdoor halls, court for basketball, handball and volleyball.

‘Our swimmers are operating at Obiaruku pending when they will move to Asaba.

‘Our cyclists are preparing at Agbor, while our combat sports including wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, kickboxing and boxing are busy with their daily activities.

‘Our table tennis team, football and other teams are doing well.

‘In Delta, we always give our athletes the best of preparation ahead major event. Our governor wants the best for Delta 2022 National Sports Festival and our aim is to get the best result,’ Porbeni stated.