Asaba 2022 gets LOC, inaugurated by the state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the LOC held its first inaugural meeting in Asaba.
By Uzor Odigbo
The organisation of this year’s 21st National Sports Festival commenced in earnest Monday with the inaugural meeting of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), in Asaba, the state capital.
The meeting presided over by Chief Patrick Ukah, Secretary to the state government and Chief Tonobok Okowa, the Executive Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, as co-chairmen of the 17-member body was however held behind closed doors.
It was gathered that the meeting was exploratory and to set the template for a successful National Sports Festival, which Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had told the sporting fraternity will be the best ever to be staged.
The biennial National Festival will hold between November 4 and 13, 2022.
The parley also had in attendance Chief Solomon Ogba, who is the adviser to the LOC.
Other attendees include Charles Aniagwu, Hon Commissioner of Information; Chief Victor Onogagamue, the immediate past DG, sports commission, Chiefs Ernest Juweto and Chinoye Daphe-Aliyu, members of the sports commission board.
The membership which cuts across a broad spectrum of the sporting family also have Bukola Olopade, a former commissioner for sports in Ogun state, Ademola Are, a retired director, federal ministry of youth and sports development and Steve Onyeacholam, among others.
Sir Chris Anaziah, the director-general of, sports commission is the body’s scribe.
The forum is expected to come up with workable documents for the smooth implementation of the National Sports Festival which has been tagged Delta Olympics.
TheNiche had reported in December last year that the Delta State government has set up the Main Organising Committee (MOC) to stage the 21st edition of the National Sports Festival tagged Asaba 2022.
Secretary to Delta State Government, the former hockey player, Chief Patrick Ukah, is Chairman of the MOC, while the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Chief Tonobok Okowa, is the co-chairman.
Vice President of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) and former President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Solomon Ogba is the Adviser. Other members of the MOC include Chief Chinoye Daphe Aliyu, Chief Juweto Ernest, Commissioner for Information as well as the State Commissioner of Police.
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To serve in the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for Asaba 2022 are former Sports Commissioner in Ogun State, Bukola Olopade, former Director-General, Delta Sports Commission, Victor Onogagamue, former swimming coach, Steve Onyeacholam, Ademola Are, former long jumper, Yusuf Alli, Representative of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), while the Director-General of the Sports Commission, Chris Anazia is the secretary.
A release signed by S.E.O Dietake for the Secretary to the State Government stated that the members are to ensure adequate provision of sports facilities and equipment for the sports festival, solicit for funds from government, private individuals and corporate organisations and also provide Games Village with standard accommodation and feeding facilities for accredited athletes and accompanying officials, among others.
