Cross River Plans High Altitude Centre On Obudu

The Cross River State Government has said that  it will build a sports centre at the Obudu Mountain Resort to enhance high altitude training of athletes.

Patrick Ugbe, the Commissioner for Information and Social Orientation, told newsmen in Calabar that in addition, the government would upgrade some stadiums in the state.

Ugbe listed the stadiums to be upgraded as Calabar, Ikom and Ogoja.

He said that well equipped indoor sports halls would be provided at these stadiums to further improve the training of athletes.

“We went to Ethiopia recently to play their national team, the high altitude affected our players who arrived just a few hours to the game.

“They could not perform well due to this and that is why we had the result we had.

“If we have these facilities in place and they decided to go and stay there to train, they can move to Ethopia and play and will not be affected by the altitude, Ugbe said.

The commissioner explained that the projects were part of Governor  Liyel Imoke’s comprehensive sport development programme.

He said that the state government also planned to engage world class coaches for the enhancement of sports.

Ugbe said that Cross River had signed a deal with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to sponsor the All Nigeria Open Athletic Championships for the next five years.

“Just last week, Governor Imoke signed that deal with the AFN; it is to last for five years and the first edition will be hosted by the state from tomorrow to June 27.

The commissioner said that the championship would make Cross River not only the destination for sports but also a business and tourism hub.