Sports
Edo 2020: Cross River Athletes Ready To Win Laurels – Ayade
As part of the tradition and requirements for the National Sports Festival, the ‘Unity Torch’ which symbolises unity and the symbol of the festival has been received in Calabar,the Cross River State capital by the Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium, Calabar.
Speaking during the reception of the unity torch, the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade said that the state is a major player in the National Sports Festival and is happy to have received the torch, adding that the enthusiasm in the air as conveyed by the athletes indicates that they are ready to storm Edo 2020 and win many laurels.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Ejemot Esu, averred that “Cross River State no dey carry last” and that the state athletes have been training very hard and he is sure they will come back with as many gold medals as possible and make the state proud.
He wished the athletes the best as they compete in the festival, calling on Nigerians to watch out for Cross River athletes as they are ready to give them the best competition.
Also speaking, the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports and Cinematography, Chief Offu Aya stated that Athletes from the state have been training and are ready to make Cross River proud and return back her glory days, adding that their rigorous training would pay off as they compete against their opponents from other states.
The Commissioner charged them to be good ambassadors of the State and put in their best to ensure that many laurels in Golds are won for the state.
On his part, the Zonal Coordinator, South South Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Sylvester Essiet, explained that every festival, the torch of unity goes round the federation, informing that the significance is that it promotes peace, unity and friendship, which is the hallmark of sports.
He further explained that the unity torch relay was flagged off on the 30th of January, 2020 by the President and has gone round the states in the Noth East, North Central, North West and South East while Calabar marks the beginning of the South South states tour, noting that after the South South states, the torch would move to the South West and finally to Edo State on the 22nd of March for the official opening ceremony of the 20th National Sports Festival.
Mr Essiet also informed that the host state is more than 90% ready for the festival and all the athletes and sports enthusiasts are looking forward to a fantastic and robust festival come 22nd March to April 1, 2020 in Edo State.
He therefore, called on all stakeholders irrespective of their state of origin to support and make sure it succeeds, noting that the National Sports Festival is an opportunity and a platform for the country to identify and produce athletes that will represent the country continentally.
By: Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
Port Harcourt the capital city of Rivers State will be at the centre stage in Nigeria as Port Harcourt Arsenal Community will hold her maiden edition of Football Fans Fiesta (FFF).
The Fiesta scheduled to hold on the 13th December, 2025, at Eddiz wine bar GRA, promises to be all football fans carnival in the State , as there will be a lot of fanfares.
The Coordinator of Port Harcourt Arsenal Community (PHAC), Ugochukwu Oputa has said that the forthcoming Football Fans Fiesta was basically to promote peace, unity and love among football fans in irrespective of the cub.
He stated that sports is a catalyst to bring peace, love and Unity in any given society, hence the occasion was initiated.
Oputa said this in an interview with sports journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, saying that arrangements are on top gear for a successful programme.
” This event is for all football fans irrespective of your club. It is basically to promote peace, love and Unity among fans.
“It is like stating the obvious that football is the catalyst of peace and unity in the world. So the Port Harcourt Arsenal Community want to use this avenue to bring people together and foster friendship.
“There is no gate fee, but it is expected to put on jersey of your club as to make the event look unique” Oputa said.
The Coordinator used the forum to advice football fans in the world to love one another, and equally urged fans that will attend the occasion to be of good conduct and behaviour.
Tonye Orabere
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed.
The project management team was guided round select facilty locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games itself”, Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Mr. Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
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