Curtains Fall On 17th National Sports Festival

The 17th National Sports Festival, tagged Garden City Games 2011, came to an end last night at the Liberation Stadium, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, South, Nigeria.

Team Rivers were declared winners after winning 135 gold, 79 silver and 85 bronze medal. A giant trophy was presented to the team by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo.

The state will receive a cash reward of N20 million earlier promised by President Goodluck Jonathan during the opening ceremony a week ago.

In his closing remarks, Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, who was also the chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Dr. Patrick Ekeji, commended the Rivers State government for hosting a successful tournament and for winning the games.

He disclosed that Lagos State has confirmed its readiness to host the 2012 sports Festival, while also revealing that Cross River State will stage the 2014 edition.

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, described the period of the festival as the most exciting time for the state.

“Rivers State has raised the bar for the hosting of the National Sports Festival,” he said.

He pointed out that the colourful opening ceremony put together by the LOC, is now the talk of the town.

Vice President Sambo lauded Rivers State for staging one of the best and a spectacular National Sports Festivals.

“Sports is a weapon of development and international relations to harness the creative abilities of the youths to transform the nation,” he maintained.

The closing event witnessed the putting out of the Games’ flame and handing over of the Games’ flag from the Local Organising Committee Chairman, Boma Iyaye to the Main Organising Committee chairman, Patrick Ekeji, before finally handing it over to Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Enitan Oshodi, as the host of the 2012 Games.

Adding to the colourful closing ceremony event was performance from artistes such as M.I, Maxi, Oba Omega, Wande Coal and Tu Face.

Tu Face Idibia, was held hostage by a mob for close to 12 minutes on the stage after his performance.

It took extra effort from security men to take him out of the stadium.

In attendance were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Rivers State Governor, Alfred Diete Spiff, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Rivers State First Lady, Judith Amaechi and a host of others.

By Seun Bisuga/Port Harcourt