Association Plans Ahead Of 19th NSF

Rivers State Traditional Sports Association says it has commenced preparations ahead of the 19th National Sports Festival scheduled to be hosted by Cross Rivers State in 2014.

Head coach of Abula in the state, Paul Asah, stated this recently, during an interview with Tidesports at the Alfred Diette Sports Complex, Port Harcourt.

He said that the preparation is to ensure that the state is well equipped for the 2014 and 2016 NSF by developing potential talents that would replace old athletes and as well represent the state during the competition.

Presently, I have 10 athletes on ground that will replace those who will finish their festival at the “Eko 2012” billed to hold this month in Lagos State,” he said.

He maintained that the best way for a good coach to ensure victory is to plan ahead of time, saying that, early preparation is key to success.

Coach Asah noted that the team that won all three medals at stake in the sport (Abula) the male single, female single and the mixed double at the 17th NSF are still intact, pointing out that, the only athlete that was dropped has been replaced.

He advised the athletes to focus on the target of defending and retaining the laurels won at the 17th National Sports fiesta, adding that 35 states would be competing against team Rivers as defending champion.