Amaechi Receives 17th NSF Report, Commends LOC

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has commended members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 17th National Sports Festival (NSF) for doing a good job.

Rivers hosted the festival, tagged Garden City Games 2011 and came first with 135 gold, 78 silver and 38 bronze medals.

Amaechi, while receiving the report, said the committee’s hard work led to the successful hosting of the games.

“I congratulate you for winning the 2011 National Sports Festival.

“I will not go through the eulogy of victory because you and I have savored the victory but I want to say that you worked very hard for the victory.

“I will say to you that I am very proud of you and I am also proud of those who competed,” he said.

He also commended the LOC Chairman, Mr Tele Ikuru and other members of the committee, for their financial prudence and excellent organisation of the (NSF).

The governor said that the opening ceremony of the Garden City Games was magnificent and attracted positive remarks from Nigerians and beyond.

Amaechi assured that his administration would continue to provide sporting facilities to strengthen sports development and give the state a pride of place in national and international sports.

“If we do all these, we will be creating employment and engaging our youths in meaningful activities and what it takes to do that is a small price.”

He announced that the sports fields in Diobu, Port Harcourt, would be recovered and put to use, adding: “we will then start competition there and start in D/Line Area of Port Harcourt.

“We will engage as many youths as possible and you can never tell, you may have people who will play at the national team or who will even go out of the country from there.”

Presenting the report, Ikuru said: “it is with extreme joy that we gather today to formally present to you the final report of the 17th National Sports Festival otherwise known as the Garden City Games 2011.”

Ikuru, who is also the Deputy Governor of Rivers, said the state hosted and won the games. “It is already a joyous historical fact that our dear Rivers hosted the festival and in line with our philosophy of the game, we hosted to win and by the grace of God and by our sterling efforts, we won.

“The position of the state at the end of the game was first position with 135 gold 79 silver and 38 bronze. In all, we won 299 medals,” he said.