NSF: Ondo, Oyo Set To Perform Better In Asaba 2022

As the 2022 National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State draws nearer, participating states are working hard to raise the bar of performances higher than the last edition in Edo.
For Team Ondo, The Tidesport source confirmed that the state contingent would move into closed-camping on Tuesday (today) at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, where they will put finishing touches to their preparations.
General Manager of Ondo State Sports Council, Henry Babatunde, confirmed to The Tidesport source that Ondo State would be parade 129 athletes in 20 sports at the Asaba Games.
According to him, the choice of events and the number of athletes were strategically arrived at for competitive advantage.
Some of the sports he listed as the state’s area of strength include wrestling, table tennis, judo, swimming and taekwondo.
“What we have now is more than what we had in the last festival. So, this time around, Ondo is hopeful that we are going to do well at the Games,” Babatunde said.
“We are very hopeful that anything that has to do with aquatics, we are going to have medals. I can beat my chest that we cannot have less than eight gold medals in aquatic sports at the Games.
“The level of our preparedness is very high, which will determine what we are going to get. We have qualified coaches and athletes on ground,” he added.
Ondo finished 11th at Edo 2020 with 10 gold, nine silver and 25 bronze medals.
In Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, preparations seem to be in two phases, as the state is looking to host the next edition of the Games, while also aiming for more medals at Asaba 2022.
An official of the Oyo State Sports Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated, “Last time we went to Edo, we had 26 sports, but this time around we have 32.
“Last time too, we finished in sixth position, and it will be the joy of the governor that we improve on that this year. Realistically, we are aiming higher and our athletes are well motivated. They were rewarded after the last festival and they know it will be the same after this. So, there is the tendency of performing better than before.”
The 21st edition of the National Sports Festival holds from November 28 to December 10 in Asaba, Delta State.