Rivers Swimmers Intensify Preparation Ahead Of Festival

Rivers State swimming team for the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt are training hard despite the one-week break granted to members of the Team Rivers by the Local Organising Committee.

When Tidesports Visited the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex on Monday, some of the athletes were seen training in different syles under the guidance of their coach.

One of the athletes, Eke ThankGod said, the training in freestyle and backstroke was necessary to perfect their skills ahead of the festival.

ThankGod said the Rivers athletes was conscious of the threats of other states, but stressed that they would do the state proud when the competition gets underway.

The swimmer who has represented Rivers State in national swimming championship said as hosts, the pressure would be on the state to win the festival.

“All things being equal, we are hosting to win. I am very, confident that with the preparations that we have had, we can compete favourably with other states.

“Here what we are doing in trying to keep ourselves fit individually, because we are actually on a one-week break.

It would be recalled that Rivers State Team for the festival has proceeded on a week’s break after a rigorous one-month camping exercise.

A top official of the Sports Council had hinted that the team would only be recalled back by the LOC, while various associations are expected to keep training their athletes.

Akorte Samuel