Cross River State governor,

Liyel Imoke has directed chairmen of Local Government councils to play active parts in the State Primary/Secondary School Athletics and Swimming Championship as from next year.

Imoke stated this during the closing ceremony of the third Cross River State Primary/Secondary School Athletics and Swimming Championship at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

He said the decision was hinged on the fact that some chairmen were lagging behind thereby thwarting the effort of government in realizing the benefit of its comprehensive sports development programme.

The governor maintained that those who excelled in the championship should be celebrated and every child should have equal opportunity to excel.

He stressed that chairmen should be part of the championship and every child partaking in it should be fully kitted from head to toe and nobody should run bare footed because they are champions.

On the essence of the championship, the governor disclosed that it was organised for children to express their talents to become champions in sports and academics.

Imoke expressed that the outcome of the championship was a reflection of the fact that people have job and have passion for their work and the children had realized their talent through them

The governor disclosed that government had introduced a special education programme with full scholarship for those whose talents have been discovered and are undergoing training while their allowances will be increased.

He further said buses will be sent to the six selected schools for sports excellence because he wants the beneficiaries to be champions in the 2014 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state.

According to him, the athletes did the state proud last year when the state hosted the National School Sports Festival and promised to provide them what ever they need to support them

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, said the closing was significant because it coincided with the Children’s Day celebration and 13 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

Ugbe disclosed that standards had improved while the children were adequately taken care of unlike previous editions.

The commissioner remarked that some of the champions picked from the championship will grow to represent the state in 2014 National Sports Festival and also not too long, represent the country in future.

He thanked chairmen of local government councils that participated in the championship and warned that next year, the rules will be very tough.

On the scope of the championship, Ugbe disclosed that swimming was included this year and in few years, it will grow to become a full blown festival with other sporting events attached to it.