Imoke
From: Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River has said that the State was not hosting the 2014 National Sports Festival to win at all cost.
Imoke said this Friday night in Calabar while officially unveiling the logo for the 19th National Sports Festival tagged “Centenary Games, Calabar 2014.”
He said: “We are not hosting to win but we are hosting to give you the best games ever.”
The governor stressed the need for transparency during the games, adding that, the state, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission was ready to upgrade the games to meet international standard.
In his speech, Mr Efiok Cobham, Chairman of Local Organising Committee and deputy Governor of Cross River said the festival was coming home as Calabar was the first Capital of Nigeria.
Cobham said that the State’s promise of organising the best festival ever in Nigeria was not a fluke, adding that the state was well prepared for the event.
He further said that the unveiling of the logo, mascot, websites and festival songs was a testimony that the state was on course.
Former Nigerian female 100 metres Champion, Mercy Nku unveiled the mascot for the games nicknamed Bamaba, representing the name of one of the surviving gorillas in Boki Local Government Area of State.
Speaking, the chairman of Main Organising Committee, Mr Gbanga Elegbeleye, described the event as a landmark in the preparations for the centenary games.
Elegbeleye also said that the MOC had earlier undertaken the tour of facilities for the games, saying that, it was satisfied with was on ground.
“So with the level of preparations so far, we can say that Cross River is ready to go.On our part, we are ready to support Cross River to make the festival a huge success”, he said.
Before the commencement of the events proper the Cross River All-stars entertained the audience with their Music renditions.
The theme song was written and performed by a music artist, Sunny Neji, called “Standing tall.’’
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