By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, JP.
Platinum Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has appealed to the state sports contingent for the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival taking place in Edo State, to stay strong, win national champions trophy and assorted medals like never before in the history of their national sports engagements.
The governor assured the state team of fantastic cash rewards for winners, ranging from bronze, silver to gold medals, saying that they deserve commensurate incentives if Delta emerge overall winner of the national sports competition.
He urged athletes and the state sports commission officials to be good ambassadors of the state by exhibiting love for themselves and to other contingents from across the country, maintain high standard of discipline, be prayerful at all times and do the needful in accordance with the guidelines for the festival and return as the most well behaved team, overall winner and the nation’s champions.
Governor Okowa gave the advise at the prayer and send forth ceremony for Team Delta held at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba, on Friday 2nd April 2021.
“Stay strong for us and win medals. You did it many times before and you can do even better this time around.
“You have been training for nearly a year or so, and the time has come for you to exhibit your talents and professional skills at the 20th National Sports Festival taking place in Benin City, Edo State.
“You deserve handsome cash rewards if you return home with the champions trophy, assorted medals; gold, silver and bronze, and it is my prayer and desire that you emerge as the best well behaved and disciplined team, and above all, the overall winner of this festival.
“The devil may show up by trying to provoke Andes and misunderstanding, not only among team members but with other athletes from other states. I urge you to avoid such temptation because it is avoidable.
“Observe Covid-19 protocols; wear your facemask at all times, wash your hands regularly with soap and running water and use alcohol based hand sanitizers. Health is wealth and it will be a great loss to the state and your humble self if after training you are unable to participate and win. That will not be your portion, you will excel and win medals, to the Glory of God, and boost the enviable pride of Delta State.
“You will undergo Covid-19 test here and in Edo State. Stay safe and be good ambassadors of Delta State. Maintain adequate self confidence and showcase your skills professionally and without blemish.
“We shall celebrate your victory upon return and God alone will take all the Glory. I pray God to grant you excellent health, divine strength to accomplish the impossible and above all, make Team Delta the national champions of this festival,” Okowa added.
Speaking to newsmen after the prayer and send forth spiritual exercise, the Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Tony Okowa, said Team Delta is ready to win big time and will cart away chunk of gold, bronze and silver medals.
He disclosed that the state governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, greatly encouraged the team by providing the resources and tools needed for extensive training, adding that the team will excel at the 20th national sport’s festival scheduled to hold in Edo State, from April 2-15, 2021.
“We are ready and by God’s special grace Team Delta will do well at the festival. Our hope and trust is in God, because he is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we ever hope, think or imagine, during the competition.
“Selected team members passed required fitness tests, speed and accuracy assessments, and from all indication our team will outshine others in this all important festival. I have confidence in the quality of athletes at our disposal. We shall conquer and return victorious.
“Our amiable governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa greatly inspired their morale by coming here today to prayer for them and assured them of the state willingness to reward winners with cash gifts if they lift the champions trophy and win medals for the state.
“On my part, I will physically be with the team throughout the duration of the festival, see to their needs and ensure that they are not found wanting in any way.
“The governor emphasised the need for discipline, peaceful coexistence and moral integrity, and the commission officials will see to it that team members adhered strictly to His Excellency’s directives,” he said.
Team Delta had emerged winners of the national sports festival five times, and amazingly won the 19th edition by amassing an astonishing 163 gold medals, 88 silver and 101 bronze medals to beat the other participating teams to the number one position after 10 days of action in Abuja.
Governor Okowa, who was elated by the superlative performance of Team Delta splashed over N400 million cash on the national heroes, coaches and officials, with a promise on Friday 2nd April, 2021, that same gesture shall be invoked if the state contingent tops the medals table at the 20th edition of the festival in Edo State.