3rd November, 2012
BIMBO AJAYI
As the 18th National Sports Festival tagged “Eko 2012 draws nearer, Vice President of Nigeria,Namadi Sambo has tasked Lagos State to surpass the feat achieved by hosts of the last edition.
Sambo disclosed this during the hoisting of the flag of the 18th National Sports Festival held Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The hoisting of the flag was designed to create awareness and signify the participation of all states of the Federation including the Federal Capital, Territory FCT ahead of Games scheduled to begin on 27 November.
Sambo said his coming to Lagos State showed that the Federal Government is committed to sports development. He charged the Main Organising Committee, MOC and the Local Organising Committee, LOC to organise a memorable event.
“I’m delighted to be in Lagos to hoist the flag for the 18th National Sports Festival. I want to congratulate Lagos for their preparation for the event. I expect Lagos to host a successful event that will surpass the previous editions,” he said.
The former Kaduna State Governor said that Lagos has the capacity to organise a successful event considering the fact that Lagos is the ‘Mecca’ of sports in Nigeria.
He charged, Lagos to ensure that this year’s edition bring the best out of athletes that can represent the country in future international competitions.
“The Federal Government Is committed to the transformation of sports sectors and I am happy that the sports retreat we organised recently in Abuja was as a result of our failure at the 2012 London and I believe that EKO 2012 will help us to realise our objectives,” he said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youths Sports and Social Development, Oshodi Enitan expressed the readiness of Lagos to host the festival, adding that the preparation for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics begin from EKO 2012 Sports Festival