Closing Ceremony Will Be Grand Says Semenitari

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari said the closing ceremony of the 17th National Sports Festival would be grand.

Semenitari who announced that the closing ceremony for the sports festival has been slated for Saturday by 4pm, has enjoined residents of the State to throng to the Liberation Stadium to celebrate Team Rivers which is expected to emerge the winner of the game.

She expressed delight  that the festival christened “Garden City Games 2011, has immeasurably boosted the image of the State among the comity of States in the federation. According to her, the impressive opening ceremony which was witnessed by President Goodluck Jonathan and other dignitaries, has left a clear message that Port Harcourt has once again regained her past glory.

“Rivers State has had exciting time at the games and the opening ceremony is something that we are proud of. We did promise Nigeria that we are going to give them a carnival. The closing ceremony promises to be more. It is going to be exciting on Saturday from 4pm. We encourage people to be at the stadium . its going to be plenty of fun,” she said.

Semenitari commended Rivers State athletes who are leading on the medals table and their trainers, because they have proven that they are the team to beat in the festival . she expressed optimism that Rivers team would sustain its lead to the end of the festival.

“We have been able to showcase a game that is a fiesta . We have proved to the world that Port Harcourt is back” she said.

The Commissioner explained that the game has showcased to the world that change which Governor Chibuike Amaechi has espoused has come to stay in Rivers.

Semenitari revealed that the Swimming Federation of Nigeria has indicated interest to use the State’s world class swimming pool at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium Complex, in the Greater Port Harcourt City, for Africa swimming tournament.