Rivers State Director of Sports, Sir Daobu Harry has reaffirmed the commitment of Rivers State to hosting the 17th edition of the National Sports Festival with the aim of emerging tops on the medals table.

He however, said that the state was determined to win fairly.

Speaking in an interview with Tidesports recently in his office, Harry noted that everybody was working hard to ensure that the state achieves the desired set goal.

“Honestly, I can assure you that Rivers athletes, coaches and administrative officers in the sports council are all working round the clock to ensure that no stone is left unturned in terms of adequate preparation”, he said.

He continued that athletes were busy in their build ups in the 25 sporting events to be competed for, and expressed the belief that they would go into close camping for intensive preparations soon.

He added that the athletes have been given the necessary motivation by the state government to perform creditably at the “Garden City Games 2010”.

Speaking on the state of sporting facilities to be used for the National Sports fiesta, Harry noted that all necessary facilities for the game would be ready before November 20th commencement date.

“Work at the stadium site is seriously in progress and above all the contractor in charge of facilities has assured that everything would be ready before the commencement of the sports festival on November 20th”, he said.

Sir Harry, explained that should the contractors fail to the meet deadline, there is nothing the state government would do other than to fall back on option B, which has to do with upgrading the old facilities on ground.

Rivers State has earlier hosted the festival in 1988.