Amaechi Receives Garden City Games’ Torch

A few hours to the formal opening ceremony of the Garden City Games 2011, Governor Chibuike Amaechi had officially received the torch of the 17th National Festival at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The hand over of the Festival torch signified the official commencement of the games in Port Harcourt which commenced on June 27, 2011.

Governor Amaechi later handed over the torch to the Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, for onward movement to the Stadium.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, and State Deputy Governor, Eng. Tele Ikuru, said the torch having gone round the participating 35 states of the Federation arrived Rivers State, and subsequently taken to the three senatorial zones.

Ikuru said the arrival marks the height of euphoria among athletes and sports lovers, saying the state was delighted that its contingent, Team Rivers, was doing well at the medals table after four days of competition.

Earlier the Director General of the National Sports Festival, Dr Patrick Ekeji, said the arrival of the festival torch in the state heralds the opening ceremony; expressing delight with the quality of facilities put in place by the state government.