The successes recorded at the recently concluded 17th National Sports Festival have been described as positive development for the image and prospects of Rivers State within Nigeria and beyond.

This was the position of a grassroots football promoter in the state, Chief Isaac Nwanwu.

Nwanwu, who spoke with Tidesports in an interview said that the successful hosting of the national sports fiesta has undoubtedly earned Rivers State a good name and that he would not be surprised to see the state hosting more sporting and other events in the near future.

He congratulated the Rivers State government and the people for being excellent hosts.

He also commended Team Rivers for doing the state proud in winning the highest number of gold medals at the event.

According to him, the state government should pay more attention to grassroots sports where he believe hidden talents could be discovered to represent the state and country in bigger sports events.

“Experience from the just concluded NSF has shown that there are lots of budding talents at the grassroots level though much efforts have not been channeled towards harnessing their potentials in the state,” he said.

Chief Nwanwu appreciated some of the facilities used for the festival, saying that, they were world of class standard and could stand the test of time.

“In fact the facilities I saw at the new Chief Adokiye Amiesemaka Sports Complex coupled with the colourful opening and closing ceremony of the 17th National Sports Festival are enough evidence to speak well of Governor Amaechi’s passion and commitment to sports development in the state,” he said.

He thus called for proper maintenance of the facilities ahead of subsequent sporting events.

It could be recalled that Rivers State hosted the National Sports Festival for the first time in 1988 before the just concluded 17th National Sports Fiesta tagged “Garden City Games 2011”.