The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports has released a press statement responding to the exclusion of some sports from this year’s National Sports Festival.
The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has in its custody a letter of petition from some notable athletes over excluding some of their sports from the 21st National Sports Festival, Delta 2022.
Unfortunately, these protests have led to public disturbances and the disruption of the peace in some parts of Lagos, hampering traffic flow in the process.
It is also essential to state that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, after much deliberations and planning, approved the following:
1) Set up a unique Department for Para Sports in the Ministry.
2) Organisation of the first National Para Games in April 2022, where 16 Para Sports were competed for by 21 States of the Federation and some sports clubs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
3) Ensuring there was no discrimination in the treatment of athletes, able or special, in terms of welfare, camping conditions, remuneration and other areas, in all international competitions.
The National Council also made the following decisions on the National Sports Festival slated for later this year.
• No para sports in Delta 2022
• Cricket is in for Delta NSF
• There will be three demonstration sports in Delta 2022. Mixed martial arts. Net Ball and Teqball
The Ministry, at this moment, urges and advises against any further disruption of public peace and calls on anyone with complaints to channel them through the appropriate authorities and seek the path of dialogue.
Hindering the right of other citizens to free movement is unlawful and unacceptable, especially after the previous engagements of the Ministry’s Liaison Officer in Lagos and other well-meaning sports personalities.
The Ministry further urges the relevant security agencies to handle the situation carefully and follow the law.
