National Council on Sports Approves Date and Venues for 2014 Sports Festival.

The National Council on Sports (NCS) has approved date and venues for the 19th edition of the National Sports Festival billed to hold in Calabar, Cross River State.

This is according to a communique issued at the end of its two-day meeting, held at the Media Centre, Package A of the National Stadium in Abuja.

The festival tagged “Paradise Games 2014” begins December 7th in six different sporting complexes across the state.

The UJ Esuene Stadium Will Host Majority of the Track and Field Events of the 2014 NSF.
The UJ Esuene Stadium Will Host Majority of the Track and Field Events of the 2014 NSF.

The U.J. Usuene Stadium, University of Calabar sports complex, Cross River University of Technology, Tinapa Resort, Calabar Sports club and College of Education, Akamkpa, were all approved as venues for the sports fiesta.

The council also approved the reviewed National Sports Festival general rules and regulations as well as the participation of three professional footballers in their state teams.

“Participation in football is open to all players without age restriction but subject to a maximum of three professional players in a team,” the communique stated.

It also agreed on the seven optional sports from which the hosts state sill confirm the final five on or before January 20th 2014. The sports are Wushu Kungfu, Karate, Golf, Dart, Kick-Boxing, Rowing, Canoeing and Squash.

The council, which was chaired by the Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) also acknowledged the need for the review of the national sports policy in tackling the challenges faced in hosting the Sports Festival.