The Ogun Sports Council has said that the reason behind its rejection of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) hostel was because the facility could not accommodate its 600-man contingent.

Ogun Director of Sports, Adesola Faleti, told newmen yesterday in Lagos that the space was “choking’’.

Faleti said that the prompt relocation of Team Ogun to the Federal College of Education (Technical) at Akoka, eventually calmed the frayed nerves of the team’s athletes and officials.

“We were fairly received yesterday at the YABATECH hostel, but the space was just not enough. We were choked up until we were relocated to this place.

“This place is good and incomparable to the former place we rejected,’’ he said.

According to the director, “Team Ogun is in Lagos to fight for laurels in the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) and not as tourists.’’

Meanwhile, Mrs Oluwatoyin Alade, the Director of Organisation of the Sports Council, explained that the state appropriately registered 600 names with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the NSF.

Alade added that in spite of the size of Team Ogun’s personnel for the NSF, the YABATECH hostel facility was not befitting for its 600-man contingent.

While commending the Lagos State Government for the facilities, the director called for an increase in the number of caterers allotted to the venue, to stem the problem of food shortage.

“They have not allocated an appropriate number of caterers here because many of our athletes and officials are not being satisfied by the caterers.

“Government can also increase the number given to each of the caterers, so as to enable them to be able to effectively cater for all the contingents,“ she said.

The director, however, called on athletes and officials at the Games to learn to adapt.

“We are sportsmen and women and we should be able to adapt to any situation because there is no perfect situation in any camp or even in real life,” she said.

Princewill Urges Team Rivers To Excel

Sports

A chieftain of the PDP in Rivers State, Tonye Princewill, yesterday urged the state contingent to the 18th National Sports Festival to excel in all their events at the Games.

Princewill told the Tidesports in a telephone interview that as defending champions, all eyes and attention would be on Team Rivers.

“As you go to Lagos for the festival, tagged ‘EKO 2012,’ always remember you are the defending champions.

“I am aware that you won the 17th edition of the Games with a total of 299 medals, comprising 135 gold, 79 silver and 85 bronze.

“All eyes will be on you and do not forget that rival states like Delta, Edo and hosts, Lagos, will be eager to topple you, ‘’ he said.

Princewill, then, urged the athletes to put to practice all they had learnt in camp, while preparing for the Games.

“I urge you to put to practice all you have learnt and trained for, while in camp, preparing for this Games.

“This edition is very important for our dear state because it is an opportunity to prove to the World that Rivers won the 17th edition fairly,’’ the chieftain said.

He said Rivers people at home and abroad would be following their outings during the Games, with keen interest.

The politician reminded them that Gov. Chibuike Amaechi rewards athletes that would bring honours to the state, just as he rewarded medal winners at the Garden City Games.