Garden City Games likened to Beijing Version
...NBF impressed with boxers

From UBA IBRAHIM, Port Harcourt
Posted: Thursday, July 7, 2011

The 17th National Sports Festival presently holding in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital could be likened to Beijing Olympics hosted by China in recent times. One could not be far from saying the truth if he or she witnessed the calisthenics display by young energetic Nigerians at the opening ceremony, to say the least, the best in recent times in the country.
The opening ceremony was more like a carnival because apart from the calisthenics displays that added colour to the event, VIPs from the various nooks and crannies of the country attested to the fact that the ceremony was equal to known as far as the National Sports Festival is concerned.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Goodluck said the festival had lived to expectations and visions of the founding fathers, which were aimed at promoting unity and providing opportunities for the Nigerian youth to showcase their talents.
Jonathan said that the Federal Government's commitment to providing enable environment for athletes to realize their potentials was a critical element to nation building and future.
The president explained that the future editions would attract the private sector whose cooperation in the festivals could make the nation's economy a viable one.
He commended the Rivers State Government for providing world class facilities for the purpose of the festival and even beyond.
Speaking further, he said that government was committed to tapping and harnessing the potential youths, adding that the 17th edition of the festival came at a time when government was placing emphasis on youth development.
"The 17th edition of this fiesta is coming at a critical time in our history as we embark on a journey of national transformation which places a great responsibility on the vibrant youths of our nation.
"Our administration fully recognizes the pivotal role and contributions of our youths to our sustained growth and the development efforts.
"This is why we are totally committed to creating an enabling environment for them to realize their full potentials as critical agents and of change and as successor generation," he stated.
The president acknowledged the fact that the nation's sports had not reached its peak because there were so many potentials waiting to be discovered.
Jonathan urged all stakeholders to use the opportunity to harness and nurture these hidden talents for national and international competitions.
The president announced that as a token from the federal government, starting from this edition of the festival, government would give a cash award of 20 million Naira for the state that won the first position, 15 million Naira and 10 million Naira respectively for the second and third positions, adding that the amount would be reviewed in future festivals and advised athletes to shun acts that could tarnish the image and reputation of the game.
Earlier, the Director Sports of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Patrick Ekeji said three trophies were donated by Plateau, Abia and Lagos State governments.
Ekeji said the Plateau trophy was named after General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), the former head of state who initiated the festival, the second given by the Abia government is in honour of late Jerry Enyeazu, the first Director of NSC as well as the third trophy donated by Lagos state government in honour of late Nojeem Mayegun, the Nigeria's first Olympic gold medalist.
More than 13, 000 athletes and officials are taking part in this edition of the festival.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) says it is impressed with the quality of boxers at the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt. NBF secretary Patrick Uwagbale told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Port Harcourt that the performance of the boxers had surpassed his expectations.
He also lauded the performance of the referees and judges, saying they were equally outstanding. Uwagbale said that the NBF had already listed eight boxers for invitation for preparations for the All Africa Games (AAG) in Mozambique.
"What we have seen so far in this competition has surpassed our expectations."We have 32 states participating in the competition and it's been quite thrilling."It has been knockouts galore and a demonstration of boxing skills by the boxers on parade,'' he said.
Uwagbale also commended the coaches for their efforts which, he said, were reflected by their wards.
He attributed the sudden rise in the profile of the boxing at the festival to the recently-concluded International Olympic Committee-sponsored coaching clinic for coaches in Ibadan.
"It seems the coaches have wasted no time in imparting some of the things they were taught to their boxers. "With more of such coaching clinics being organised regularly, boxing will be better off for it, Uwagbale said.