The head coach of the Ondo State Badminton Association, Tumise Olalehin, has said his athletes are ready to represent the state well at the upcoming 21st National Sports Festival (NSF).

The 21st NSF will be held from November 28 to December 10 in Delta State.

Olalehin, in an interview on Sunday in Akure, said his athletes were physically and mentally ready for the competition.

He said he was not bothered that some states were already poaching athletes, coupled with the fact that international athletes would be allowed to participate in the competition.

The head coach appreciated the sports council for the assurance that the athletes would compete in this edition.

“The majority of our players have come back, and due to the support of the state government for paying their allowances and sponsoring them to the tournament even before the festival, they have gathered a lot of experience.

“We cannot say the number of medals we are going to win because a lot of players are going to be recruited from one state to the other, even international players are coming, but we have prepared all the athletes.

“The expectation is going to be superb because it will give the players avenue to sell themselves to Nigeria because we have a lot of competitions coming up next year,” he said.

According to him, the state will be represented by six players; two male and four female players.

Badminton was not part of the games that were competed by Ondo State at the 20th edition of the festival.

(NAN)