A Professor of Physical and Health Education at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ademola Onifade, Monday decried the lack of competitiveness in the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF).

He said that the lack of competitiveness was due to the fact that most teams are fielding experienced hands.

Onifade, who is also a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the NSF, added that with such a development; the letters and the spirit of the NSF have been thwarted.

"I still have not seen that level of competitiveness that used to be the norm in a sports fiesta of this nature.

"And I believe it is because we do not have adequate budding talents featuring for the various states.

"What we have is a parade of experienced hands, thereby denying the NSF of young chaps striving to break existing records," Onifade said.

The lecturer stressed that because of the current trend of using elite athletes by most states in the sports festival, budding grassroots talents would not be allowed to come to the fore.

NAN reports that the NSF which commenced on November 27 will be ending on December 9.

NAN