By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
In adherence to directives from the Presidential Task Force on covid-19, the Kaduna State Ministry of Sports Development has commenced testing of its 426 contingent ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF), billed for Benin, Edo State next month.
At the venue of the exercise, Director of Sports Kaduna State, Alhaji Yakubu Ibrahim told newsmen that those being tested include 309 athletes, 48 coaches and officials.
"The President gave approval, alongside Task Force of COVID-19 for the festival to go ahead, however, strict adherence to the guidelines of COVID-19 by all participants to the NSF must be adhered to, this necessitated undergoing compulsory tests ahead of the event.
On what happens if any of the state's athletes tests positive to the virus, he said that they have replacements, whenever the need arises.
"We have ready replacement for athletes. If any is found positive, the athlete will be isolated and given drugs, after some days they will be tested again," he assured.
According to him, Team Kaduna is ready and they are constantly training ahead of the competition.
"We are looking forward to a good outing. I have been saying this since last year that we are prepared, but because of COVID-19 it was postponed severally.
"Anytime it is postponed, we don't relax. We always encourage our athletes to be practicing.
We are fully prepared, I want to assure you.
He said that Governor Nasir el-Rufai and the Commissioner of Sports, Professor Kabiru Mato are commited to ensuring welfare of athletes.
"We assure Kaduna citizens that we will make them proud at the festival," he further assured.
He disclosed that athletes from the state would be participating in participating in 25 different events.
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