Rivers State Sports
Council has reiterated its preparedness to emerge tops at the forth coming National Sports Festival in Calabar next year.
The councils festival Secretary, Barisi Wifa, who stated this in an interview with Tidesports recently assured fans and supporters of the state athletes of the readiness of team Rivers to lift the trophy.
He urged them not to panic as both the administrators, coaches and the athletes were preparing and working hard to make the state pround.
Wifa, who refused to throw more light on level of preparedness said doing so is to expose team Rivers to rival states, adding that the major problem facing the state is sponsorship.
According to him, the Rivers State government has been the sole sponsor of Team Rivers despite the presence of several corporate organisations in the state.
On the number of athletes in camp, Wifa who refused to disclose however said that all payments that is due them have been paid.
He further said that the number of sporting events the state would be competing would be made pubic when the National Sports festival gets under way.  ‘There are certain sports that would go for elimination between states before the commencement of the sports festival”, he added.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Grass Root Coaches association said it has commenced under 15 and 13 football competitions at the No. 1 Field, Old Port Harcourt Township.
Pastor Alalibo Sotonye, who is the spokesman of the association said the competition which is the first edition of the event is aimed at fishing out talents especially budding stars that would take the place of the Kanu’s and Yobo’s in the country.
“It is to encourage our youths who are regularly in the midst of criminals, touts and those with immoral mindset to come out and engage in sports by show casing their talent in clubs.
He also appealed to individuals and Corporate sponsors to help the association so as to help the youth come out of those disruptive groups.
More than 20 football clubs are participating in the competition.

Dick Aggo