The National Council on Sports has approved the National Sports Commission’s proposal for a National Open Sports Festival and National Youth Games, in place of the present National Sports Festival (NSF). The council gave nod to the proposal at a recent meeting held in Ilorin, Kwara state even as it appeals to states to take advantage of the economic benefits and potentials accruable from the competitions by bidding their hosting rights. Following the positive reception it accorded the proposal, the council directed the NSC to forward a formal memorandum to the National Council of States intimating them of this development.

According to a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the council also directed the commission to set up a 12-man committee to work out modalities for the organisation and management of the National Open Sports Festival as well as the National Youth Games.

It specified that the committee be composed of six states Directors of Sports from the respective geo-political zone, five representatives of sports’ stakeholders and the representative of the NSC as Chairman.

Further, the council threw its weight behind the current efforts by the NSC to concession five federal stadia in accordance as recommended by the Federal Executive Council Committee. The stadia are: Ibadan, Kaduna, Bauchi, with Abuja and Lagos as pilot scheme.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that 10 out of the 33 sports federations have already been concessioned even as the commission hopes to place some for consideration subsequently.