Oyo, Taraba Contingent disqualified from National Sports Festival

The Oyo and Taraba states contingents to the 20th National Sporty Festival holding in Edo State have been disqualified. It was gathered that they were disqualified from the tournament for issues revolving around their failure meet the COVID-19 guidelines for the games.

The Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu who doubles as the Local Organisinf Committee Chairman, made this known.

In his statement, he said “The contingents of Oyo and Taraba stand disqualified from the 20th National Sports Festival unless the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 gives a counter directive as both states fail to meet the Covid-19 guidelines of the games.

“We have to be strict with the guidelines so as not to use the games as an avenue to spread COVID-19 in the state which has already been flattened. Even if the PTF gives approval for both states to be admitted, the teams have to go through strict COVID-19 screening and testing before they will be allowed into camp.”

However, a Source from the Oyo Sports ministry confirmed that efforts are being intensified to get the state re-admitted.

“We are trying to meet up. Our plan is to get the athletes tested before games resume,” the source said.

Recall that this 20th edition of NSF suffered several setback owing to the Global pandemic.

The festival will take on place in 22 venues with athletes competing for 3000 medals from a total of 33 sports.