Date: 2021-04-16

* KWSG Meticulous to Forestall Escalation of Pestilence - Banire

* Development Validates KWSG's Sincerity - Sports Council Director

Applause and accolades went to the Kwara State Government as the 20th National Sports Festival progresses in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, as Kwara was adjudged by the Medical Department (Covid-19 Centre) for the National Sports Festival as the best state in the Covid-19 Vaccination/Test conducted in preparation for the festival.

This came following the detection by the Festival Covid-19 Centre of the State's wholehearted compliance with the directive by both the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee for festival that all the members of the contingents from all the states of the Federation must be vaccinated.

Subsequently, facts were revealed at the Festival Medical Department that some states did not comply with the MOC/LOC's directive, this thereby impelled the authority of the Edo 2020 National Sports Festival Medical Department to bestow encomiums on the Kwara State Government.

Confirming the information on the distinction grade accorded the State, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Bar. (Mrs.) Iyabo Funke Banire, said that assessment score was a result of meticulousness on the part of the Kwara State Government to prevent further escalation of the Covid-19 virus in the country.

She noted that the excellent rating was a fruit of the adequate preparation made by the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to ensure that athletes and other members of the contingent from the State are safe during and after the festival.

Banire, who spoke from Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, then thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for not underplaying the value of health in the parlance of sports.

Also speaking on the development from the festival venue, the Director, Sports Development, Alhaji Abubakar Olusola Shehu, gave kudo to the Kwara State Government for rising to the occasion and taking up what was required at the preparatory stage of the fiesta to preclude any incident of health crisis.

Shehu added that provision of necessary facilities for the vaccination of all the members of the Kwara Contingent before the festival has to be commended.

Responding to the ovation, the Director, Kwara State Sports Council, Coach Atanda Ibrahim Alarape, explained that none of the contingent members (drivers inclusive) came to Edo State without being vaccinated at Kwara State Ministry of Health before departure.

Alarape, who could not hide his excitement, declared that the development proved that Kwara State is sincere, noting that this is an epitome of the image of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Dr. Sangodare Ayinla and Kafayat Folashade Olayemi,

Press Secretaries,

Ministry of Sports and Youth Development

11/4/2021