Veteran journalist and former Secretary General of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Mr Richard Jideaka has proffered solution on how to host and spend less, for those aspiring to host the next National Sports Festival.

He disclosed this while reacting to those showing interest in hosting the next Festival yesterday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

Mr. Jideaka who also hails from Asaba, Delta State said there might be no need for Games Village if the State can host the Festival when schools are on vacation.

He gave instance with Edo State who hosted the Festival when the schools were not in session hence the government was able to convert most of the schools including the higher institutions to Games Village.

The Veteran Journalist disclosed that the advantage of using the schools is that they will be renovated before they are put to use and the schools will end up becoming the beneficiaries.

“For instance, before they will use any school, renovation will be carried out on it. Of course, generator will be provided for the schools to be used and that might be an opportunity for any that does not have. Other facilities like toilet, sporting centres including amenities like water, electricity will be installed. These ordinarily are what they might not get if their facilities are not used for Festival especially if Games Village is built.

He concluded, “Of course building Games Village will cost a lot of money and that might discourage some States from bidding to host the Festival in future.”