Ugbe
Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
Three Lawn Tennis courts for use during the 19th (NSF) billed for Cross River in November have been completed and handed over to the Cross River Government.
The “world class Lawn Tennis Courts” which are part of an array of completed facilities for the Centenary Games were formally handed over to Mr Patrick Ugbe, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development.
Receiving the courts on behalf of the State government, Ugbe commended the contractor, Mr Alfred Otu of Otu-Tennis Company Ltd, for quality of materials, standard of work and timely delivery.
He said that other facilities including the tartan track and pitch had earlier been received and were being test-run at the Calabar Sports Club.
He said that the swimming pool, Basketball, Handball and Abula pitches will be completed soon.
Ugbe said the state government had strategic reasons for locating some of the facilities for the games at the Sports Club, the State University of Technology, the U.J. Esuene Stadium and other vital venues.
He said the state government wanted to ensure that the facilities are put into effective use even after the competition to build talent and champions for the State and country.
Ugbe, who also handed over the courts to the Calabar Sports Club at the occasion acknowledged that the partnership between government and the Club had been most rewarding.
He appealed that that the facilities should be properly maintained.
In his comments at the brief ceremony, the contractor, Otu Tennis Company, Mr. Alfred Otu said, the remaining court was 90 per cent completed and would soon be delivered.
Otu stated that all facilities were tailored to meet world standard and re-assured government of their durability.
Also speaking, the President, Calabar Sports Club, Dr. Romanus Eriom expressed appreciation to Gov. Liyel Imoke, who is also the grand patron of the Club for his foresight and choosing to partner with them.
Eriom said that the club had completed plans to offer training opportunities to children to improve skills and prepare them for championships in the near future.
The ceremony was witnessed Mr Yemi Usikaye, the South-South Zonal Coordinator, National Sports Commission and Directors of Sports in the zone.
The zonal sports buff were in Calabar to strategise on the zonal team sports elimination for the NSF and the NSF proper.
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