Boat Regatta Tops Eko 2012 Opening Ceremony Shows

The Lagos State Government has said that it will entertain
spectators at the opening ceremony of the 18th National Sports Festival, tagged
“Eko 2012”, with a Boat Regatta.

The boat regatta is among the 10 events viewers would savour
at the ceremony in less than one week time.

Leader of the boat regatta group, Bankole Segun, told
newsmen during one of their rehearsal sessions that they were from “Isale Eko”
area of Lagos Island, adding that the sports was chosen because of its
artistry.

“Islanders are known to be exceptional in performance when
it comes to canoe paddling because we use it in our traditional occupation of
fishing.

“We are from a coastal area and all our activities revolve
around the river, our culture, occupation and even sports,” he said.

Segun said that a total of five boats would be on display
during the opening ceremony and each would be manned by five paddlers.

He said that the paddlers would comprise of three girls and
two boys per boat, with the boys providing the needed energy on board.

Segun added that part from helping in the paddling, the
girls would provide melodious tunes to the rhythm of the boat.

The instructor disclosed that the rehearsals became
necessary to enable the five teams to be able to master their assigned parts
ahead of the opening of the Games, saying that every team had specific roles.

Five teams of five persons each, made up of boys and girls,
were seen at the Teslim Balogun Stadium rehearsing how to move the canoes to a
particular rhythm, yesterday.