17th NSF: Ekeji Thumbs-Up RSG

Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the on-going 17th National Sports Festival and Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr Patrick Ekeji has expressed satisfaction with the state-of-the art facilities at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Sports Complex.

Dr Ekeji who was speaking with newsmen about his impression of the games and the level of preparation put in by the host state,  Rivers  said the state government deserves commendation.

“Let me thank the Rivers State Government for its wonderful reception .. we will also say that we’re grateful that in spite of what seemed to be not quite impressive position of the facilities some months ago,  (the story is now different).”   The  idea of moving the hosting of National Sports Festival around is to encourage states to develop not just its infrastructure, but other areas of sports facilities because in the course of developing the infrastructure, just as Rivers State has done now, sports generally receives a boost”, he added.

Dr Ekeji appealed to the press to be fair in its coverage of the games and to give Rivers State “maximum support” in its hosting of the games.

“…I want to appeal to the press to give maximum support and co-operation to the Rivers State Government.   That way, the providers of these services will be more encouraged.  Of course that does not mean that you should not criticise but you should say it in such a way that the pockets from which the funds are coming will not be dry and the people will not be discouraged”, he said.

Answering a question on the shifting of the festival thrice and the effect it has on the games, Ekeji said:   “We will certainly encourage states to (host the National Sports Festival), this was not the first time that festival date was being shifted to allow the host state to complete the facilities so we are quite pleased with what the Rivers State Government has done”.