Gbenga Elegbeleye, a former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission (NSC), on Tuesday, commended organisers of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) for postponing the event following the outbreak of coronavirus.

Elegbeleye said prioritising the health of athletes and officials by postponing the event was a step in the right direction.

He said Nigeria could not afford to gather so many people together when other countries were taking counter-measures.

“There is no need for assembling youths and putting their health at risk when the whole world is trying to be cautious because of coronavirus.

“I personally was worried about the NSF and I wondered if parents and guardians would release their wards for the event. Thankfully, the organisers have done the rational thing,” Elegbeleye said.

The former director-general pointed out that sports activities have either been cancelled or suspended globally, with major European football leagues suspended and this summer’s Euro 2020 shifted till 2021.