17th NSF, Unique – Sam Sam Jaja

A sports philanthropist and administrator in Rivers State, Dr Sam Sam Jaja, has described the 17th National Sports Festival – Garden City Games – being hosted by Rivers State as ‘a unique festival’ that surpasses previous editions of the festival.

Speaking with The Tide on the festival in Port Harcourt, Dr Jaja said in conformity with wide spread expectations, the Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi administration was poised to organise a successful tournament with ‘a very high standard.’

Dr. Jaja said, the festival was that of the state of the art and very unique, noting that it was first slated in 2010 which was the year Nigeria celebrated her Golden Jubilee but had to be re-scheduled to this year to enable the Rivers State government complete the venue of the festival.

“My expectation for this festival is very, very high, the standard should be high; the festival/tournament arrangement should be high and remain so throughout the festival. The post festival analysis also should be high. My expectation is a very high standard all through the game,” he said.

Dr  Jaja believes that the standard of the 17th National Sports Festival will impact positively on future editions of the festival, especially the 19th edition of the festival, slated for 2014, advising that states’ Sports Authorities should closely monitor their athletes to avoid the pitfall of doping during the festival.