NSF: Sports Enthusiasts Laud Rivers Government On Security

Sports enthusiasts at the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt last Saturday praised the organisers for beefing security at all venues of the festival.

In separate interviews at the Civic Centre,  Port Harcourt  they enjoyed their liberty at venues without being harassed by hoodlums or touts.

They also said the security in place ran contrary to the belief that  kidnapping and abduction that filtered the air and make Port Harcourt a dreaded place.

They also said that if such security could be beefed up in the metropolis, it will not be business as usual for hoodlums and kidnappers who take advantage of pedestrians.

Sunday Ohiman, Chief Coach, Edo State Wrestling said that he was so happy for the security put in place at all the venues of the festival.

He praised the state government for ensuring the safety of lives and property during the biennial  fiesta.

“Though I was not afraid, most of the athletes were afraid because of the kidnapping stories, indeed we enjoy our peace and we hope this continues till the end of the festival,“ Ohiman said.

Another coach from Bayelsa, Abubakar Zimojhan also told reporters that Rivers State government had proved everybody wrong with all the kidnapping stories in the Niger Delta.

Zimojhan also commended the police  for discharging their duty  at various venues, adding that no athletes ever complained of any incident.

“Though participating states too are security conscious by warning their athletes not to go outside the venues indiscriminately, let us still give it to the host state,“ he said.

Victoria Egbunike, a wrestling enthusiast also said that she was impressed  that the state had to put security in place for them to protect  participating teams saying it’s a score card.

Abudulahi Garba, a traditional sport lover and resident of Port Harcourt said that the government should extend the security to the metropolis and after the festival.

“Police should try and arrest some “Area Boys’’ who snatches bags and money at some areas in the metropolis at night for us to move freely,“ he said.

A police officer who did not want his name in print told newsmen at the Civic Centre, one of the venues of the festival that “It is our duty to secure lives and we are doing our work,’’ he said.

It would be recalled that over 600 police officers were deployed to the nine venues of the sports festival.

The venues are: Adokiye Amiesimaka, Liberation, Sharks Stadia, Civic Centre, Agbani Darego’s Hall, Township School, City Hall, Sports Hall Uniport, Port Harcourt Club and Golf course.