The Rivers State Sports Council, yesterday expressed optimism of a successful outing at the forthcoming 19th National Sports Festival, tagged Centenary Games to be held in Calabar, Cross River State later in the year when it received a trophy from its Taekwondo athletes at the office of the council’s Director, Sir Daobu Harry, yesterday.
The trophy, a Silver Cup, was won by the taekwondo association at the first South- South Open Tackwando Championship held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from the Fifth to the Seventh of this month.
According to the Secretary of the Tackwondo Assocation, Emma Nwauju, Team Rivers finished the championship in second position out of 12 teams with five gold, nine silver and 11 bronze medals and produced the overall best male performer in Segun Olushola.
Delta State emerged winners with six gold, one Silver and two bronze medals, while Edo State was third with five gold, four Silver and six bronze.
Speaking during the brief ceremony in his office, Sir Harry noted that Team Rivers good performance in the midst of their zonal rivals  did well for the state’s chances at the forthcoming Sports festival in Calabar.
He expressed the Council’s happiness with the commitment of the athletes and their coaches, especially, as the association sponsored itself to the South-South championship.
Sir Harry however, challenged the athletes and their coaches, especially, those that did not win gold to target the Superior medals in order to soar above opponents during the festival proper.
The director stated that the council had some of its hope for medals built an Tackwando, declaring that the state was taking preparations for and participation in the Centenary Games seriously.
This mood, according to him is reflected in the approach to preparations as the state is the first to go into camping. It has also been participating in national competitions, at least for this year, which have seen the states two chess players out of five and three gymnasts out of eight chosen to represent the country at international competitions this year.
He further appealed for understanding over the state’s decision to put its preparations under wraps because according to him, “we have a lot of spies around us”.