No fewer than 150 athletes will represent Ekiti State at the forthcoming National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Abuja in December .
General Manager of Ekiti State Sports Council, Deji Samo , said the athletes would participate in 17 events including athletics , para- athletics , weightlifting , golf, badminton, boxing , chess, gymnastics, judo, karate , kick- boxing , Kung- Fu , para- powerlifting, scrabble, table tennis and traditional games at the festival .
Samo said in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday that the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi , would receive the Game ’s Torch in Ado Ekiti next week , adding, “The torch is at present being moved round the country before it would berth in Abuja for the finals of the game. ”
The general manager expressed confidence in the state contingent ’s ability to perform well at the event , adding that the athletes went through zonal elimination rounds to qualify for the games.
He said , “The state government will continue to encourage young athletes to bring honour to the state . Sports have become veritable tool for youth development globally.
“So, tapping into the potential offered by sports will curb youth restiveness , boost unity and provide employment opportunities as well as possibilities for scholarships to the benefit of the state , ” Samo added.
