Rivers Re-enacts Beiijing Olympics Scenario In PH …As Jonathan Declares 17th NSF Open

The official opening ceremony of Nigeria’s biggest sporting event, the National Sports Festival was performed at the magnificent Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt yesterday by President Goodluck Jonathan amidst pomp and pageantry.

The opening ceremony was more like a carnival. Apart from the calisthenics displays that added colour to the event, VIPs from different parts of the country graced the lively event. President Goodluck Jonathan was accompanied by other government functionaries to the venue of the ceremony.

Nigerian Idol; winner, Timi Dakolo’s performance stired feverish emotions as he rendered his scintillating tune ‘Great Nation”, Duncan Mighty, too, was on hand to  add colour with his popular song, “Port Harcourt Boy” while Koko Master, D Banj took the audience on a musical voyage with some of his popular hits.

The high points of the opening ceremony was the lighting of the festival flame which is expected to burn till the end of the games.

The ceremony which lived up to its hype as a unique and historic show piece was a marker in the history of the Sports Festival.

From the advanced lighting razzmatazz and the isometrics displays, the opening ceremony spoke volumes of the efforts and commitment by the locals organizing committee, LOC and Rivers State Government to deliver an unrivalled fiesta to the country.

Even as the Beijing Olympic displays took the world by storm, the sensation of a man paddling his canoe mid air right at the Garden City Stadium yesterday, night may go down as the world’s most spectacular displays in a sport fiesta in recent history.

That is however, if one wants to consider it more scintillating than the  magic of two drummers doing what they knew best in the air.

Speaking before declaring the festival open, President Jonathan stated that the festival has lived up to the visions of the founding fathers, which were aimed at promoting unity and providing opportunities for the Nigerian youths to showcase their talents.

He stated federal government’s commitment to providing the enabling environment for athletes to realize their potentials as critical elements of the nation’s future.

The President hoped that future editions would attract the private sector whose co-operation could make the festival a viable economic execise.

He commended Rivers State Government for providing world class facilities for the event.

He said government was also committed to tapping and harnessing the potentials of youths saying  that the 17th edition of the festival came at a time government when government was placing emphasis on youth development.

‘’ The 17th edition of this fiesta is coming at a critical time in our history as we embark on a journey of  national  transformation which places a great   responsibility on the vibrant youths of our nation.

‘’ Our administration fully recognizes the pivotal role  and contributions of our youths to our  sustained growth and development  efforts.

‘’ This is why we are totally committed to creating an enabling environment for them to realize their full potentials as critical agents of change and as  successor generation.’’ He said.

President Jonathan said the national sports festival had continued to live up to the visions of its  founding fathers  who conceptualized it  38 years ago.

He said the festival affords the opportunity to celebrate the leaders of tomorrow and showcase the talents of our youths in sports.

He called for the involvement of the corporate and private sectors in the sponsorship and organization of future national sports festivals.

He said the nation’s sports had not reached its peak because there were so many potentials waiting to be discovered and encouraged .

He urged all stake holders to use the opportunity to harness and nurture these hidden talents for national and international competitions.

The president commended the donors of trophies for the winners and runners up of the festival and described it as a new innovation in the organization of the games.

Dr. Jonathan announced that as its token, the federal government would give a cash award of N20m for the state that comes first,N15 for second position and N10m for the third position.

He said the amount would be reviewed in future festivals and urged athletes to shun acts that could tarnish the image and reputation of the games.

President Jonathan commended the Rivers state government for building a new sports complex named after former super eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka and described it as a great edifice.

Earlier, the director-general of the national sports commission,Dr. Patrick Ekeji said the three trophies were donated by the Plateau,Abia and Lagos state governments.

He said the Plateau trophy was named after Gen. Yakubu Gowon,(retd) former Head of State who initiated the festival, the second by the Abia state government in honour of late Chief Jerry Enyeazu ,first Director, National Sports Commission while the third trophy, donated by Lagos state government was in honour of late Nojeem Mayegun, Nigeria’s first Olympic medal winner.

Ekeji said more than 13,000 athletes and officials were taking part in the 17th edition of the games and that the festival guidelines were reviewed in line with Olympic standards.

He said there were 25 sports being competed for by the participating states.

He said sponsors would be sought for the three trophies donated by the Plateau,Abia and Lagos state governments for the first three winners of the games in future games.

Earlier, the 36 states and FCT did a march past reviewed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking earlier, host and Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi thanked the federal government and the National Sport Commission for bringing the National Sports Festival to Rivers State for the second time.

He noted that since inception, the NSF has been a sign of Nigerian’s common destiny which can be used to unite and strengthen the country.

The governor stressed his administration’s determination to placing great emphasis in sports development, a sector that caters for more than 60 per cent of the state population made up of youths.

This resolved, he explained informed the construction of the brand new Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium equipped with facilities unequalled in Nigeria.

He urged the athletes and guests to savour the huge cultural heritage and hospitality of Rivers people and to always uphold the virtue of sportsmanship.

Several cultural displays, popular artists and the booming sound and glare of fireworks were used to round off the memorable ceremony.

Desmond Osueke

Team Rivers during a parade at the 17th National Sports Festival, Port Harcourt, displays the rich culture of Rivers State, yesterday