October 26, (THEWILL) – The Torch of Unity movement, which marks the start of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), dubbed “Delta 2022”, has been flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari expressed his excitement for the upcoming Festival during the event held on Tuesday, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing it as the “engine room” for creating outstanding champions to represent the nation at international competitions.
The President noted that the Festival has produced notable athletes who have immortalised the nation’s name in gold, conclusively proving the necessity of the competition. Buhari, who was represented by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, praised the Main Organising Committee (MON) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their dedication and perseverance in ensuring the successful staging of the games.
Reiterating his administration’s dedication to the growth of sports in the nation, he explained that because sports have remained a platform for bringing Nigerians together, the government will continue to fund it.
President Buhari praised the athletes for their outstanding performance at the Games as well as the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, the Nigerian Olympic Committee, under the direction of Engr. Habu Gumel.
Dare, who tagged the competition “Nigerian Olympics”, noted that the torch will travel to all the States before returning to hosts, Delta, in time for the commencement of events.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
