The North-Central zonal eliminations will hold from February 23 to February 28 in Jos.
He acknowledged that the welfare of athletes remains the government’s utmost priority.
He urged coaches to go to the grassroots, identify raw talents and nurture them for the state and national sports meet.
Katsina had not won a gold medal at the NSF since 2011.
Oyo, who won the festival’s first runner-up bid, is to be on standby in case Ogun fails to meet up.
The commissioner said the way athletes were being lured by some states to compete for them was unbecoming and not good for sports.
Onyedum said the practice is fuelled by states’ desperation to amass medals, especially gold, at the national sports meet.
Amadi Umeh and Joshua Oladiran from Ondo defeated their Rivers counterparts 3-0.
The four category event, with entries from 27 states, will throw up 48 medals for grabs.
Mr Iskilu said that plain clothed officers have been strategically deployed within and outside the perimeter of the venue to gather first hand security and Intelligent information.
