A total of 60,000 students from across the federation will converge in Kwara State for the sixth edition of the National School Sports Festival.

This much was revealed by the president of the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF), Ibrahim Mohammed at the unveiling of the logo and mascot of the multi-sports event that will bring together young talents from across the nation, in Lagos on Wednesday.

Mohammed also revealed that not fewer than 23 games will be featured in the Games.  Of this number, 17 would be scoring events, while the remaining six would be on only for demonstration.

One of the sports that will be featuring in the championship for the first time, he disclosed, was cricket.  According to him, after the festival, there were plans to form zonal cricket bodies and ensure that interested youngsters played the game at the grassroots level.

Mohammed also disclosed that his federation has been offered over N42million by sponsors Sterling Bank and Nestle Milo who were represented at the unveiling. While Sterling presented N35million, Milo presented N7million.

Representative of the Kwara State Government, Tunde Kazeem, Sports Director of the state, confirmed that its readiness for the Games.

“We were only contacted just about 10 days ago. But our  governor,  Abdulfatah Ahmed quickly accepted the proposal and we are ready to host,” Kazeem said.

Chairman of the Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM), Yemi Idowu confirmed Kwara State’s readiness, saying the facilities in the state were top class and good enough for the Games.

“I think Honourable Kazeem was being modest when he said Kwara State is getting ready. I know they are ready. I went on a tour of some of the facilities there some months ago and I tell you, they are ready,” he said.

Sponsors, Sterling Bank and Nestle Milo expressed delight at being part of the programme and hoped for a hitch-free event.

“We look forward to a programme that would have great impact on the lives of the young ones,” Sterling Bank’s Group Head, Strategy and Communications, Shina Atilola said.

Milo’s brand manager, Funmi Osineye highlighted the company’s part in the Games thus: “We will sponsor the U-13 football tourney. We will provide kits, medals and trophies. We will give the winner the opportunity to play in the Milo African championship in Kenya. The international exposure will boost the confidence level of the children.”

The 10-day event will begin on November 20 and end on November 30.