Not many people, especially coaches, sports lovers and athletes believed that the National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020 was going to hold after it had suffered several postponements due to Coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19).
But the commencement of the games precisely on the 2nd April, 2021, was a wild dream that came to reality and induced happiness in the coaches and athletes.
The NSF is obviously like the Olympics, but in Nigeria it is expected to hold every two years. It was initially initiated to foster peace, unity and promote cross-cultural tradition.
Currently, it also serves as an avenue where athletes in different sports are discovered and groomed to represent the country internationally in specific sports.
The NSF was introduced by General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) shortly after the Nigerian Civil War in 1973, with the view to foster peace and unity in the country and not to win at all costs.
The first edition of the festival was hosted by Lagos State and 12 regions including the host participated, namely; Mid Western, Lagos, East Central, Western, North Eastern, North Central.
Others are; Kwara, Benue-Plateau, South East, Kano and North Western. This inuagural competition was won by the Mid Western region with 68 gold, 58 silver and  52 Bronze medals.
Since then, the NSF has improved tremendously both in organisations facilities and otherwise to get international recognition.
In Edo 2020, something happened that can be described as political intrigues. According to reports, the weather was so bad, amidst heavy down pour that made Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, that was expected to declare open the games not to come; but it was a colourful opening ceremony carried out by the host, Chief Godwin Obaseki.
After eight days of the games, the Deputy governor of the State, who was also the Chairman Local Organising Committee ( LOC), Comrade Philip Shaibu, threatened to stop the Sports festival abruptly as Federal Government failed to fulfil its financial commitment to the State as promised.
The State, on request, was promised assistance by the Federal Government to cover the expenses it had incurred in view of several postponements, it was not forthcoming.
This was the first time over 20 years, the president or vice president missed to declare NSF open, and this was also strange that in recent times, LOC issued threat to abruptly stop the NSF.
At the closing ceremony on Wednesday 14th April, 2021, the same thing occurred where the Vice President, Professor Osinbajo and Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, were conspicuously absent.
However, the games came to an end with mixed reactions. In spite of the fact that the fiesta was highly competitive, where a record in swimming was broken and a new one set.
Athletes were also discovered to represent the country in the Olympics and other international competitions. Athletes were also happy to have competed after several months of training.
In his reactions, former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, rated the NSF high, saying that the determination of the governor, Chief Godwin Obaseki, is commendable.
He described the facilities used for the games as world class standard, saying that with the type of facilities and equipment on ground, Edo State can comfortably host international competitions.
“With he infrastructure I see here in Edo, Nigeria will not have any challenge to bid for All African Games or any international tournament.
Young men and women can come and train here to improve their talents. It can also host any international tournament.
I urge other State governments to build such sporting facilities in their States,”  Dalung said.
Former British and Commonwealth heavyweight boxing champion, Peter Oboh, also lauded the government for taking the bold step to ensure that the festival was successful.
He explained that apart from putting on groundn State-of-the-art sports facilities, the government and people of Edo State deserve commendation.
The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Sir Honour Sirawoo, frowned at the manner the games was organised, mostly the poor treatment of sports journalists covering the games.
A silver medalist from Team Bayelsa that pleaded for anonymity said, Edo 2020 was one of the poorly organised sports festivals, saying that the games village was nothing to write home about.
According to her, there was no water in the games village, athletes were looking for water with buckets, apart from that, the environment was infected with mosquitoes and other creeping insects.
“Honestly, this festival is the worst among the ones I have attended. The organisers’ cannot even fumigate the environment, mosquitoes everywhere, this is terrible,” she said.
The athlete used the forum to call on the next host, Delta State, to ensure they improved on the organisation and on what Edo did.
The technical director of kickboxing federation of Nigeria, Wilson Okon, commended the Edo State government, saying that there are always challenges in any event. .
At the event of the festival, Team Delta emerged overall winners of Edo 2020 with 158 gold, 116 silver and 110 bronze medals, while host, Edo State came second with 129 gold, 104 silver and 108 bronze medals, Bayelsa occupied the third position with 56 gold 55 silver, and 58 bronze and Rivers state came fourth with 33 gold, 34 silver, and 61 bronze medals.
With this feat, Team Delta won the NSF three consecutive times and retired the festival trophy.

By: Tonye Orabere