Team Rivers begins build-up to National Sports Festival

[MrVan]

Port Harcourt – The Rivers Commissioner for Sports, Mr Fred Igwe, has said that Team Rivers will begin closed camping from June 29 to prepare for the National Sports Festival (NSF).

The festival, tagged Eko 2012, will be hosted by Lagos State in November.

Team Rivers is the defending champions of the festival hosted by the state in July 2011 with 135 gold,  79 silver and 85 bronze medals.

Delta came second with 82 gold, 89 silver and 81 bronze medals while Edo finished third with 46 gold 41 silver and 43 bronze medals.

Igwe said   in Port Harcout on Monday after inspecting facilities at the camp that the camping  had become necessary to prepare for the festival.

The commissioner said the sports associations had remained focused by training ahead of the games.

He said some of the athletes had represented the country in different international tournaments during the year by winning laurels.

Igwe said others won medals in national competitions held in different parts of the country.

"This tells you we are organised and focused. When we arrive in Lagos we will be ready for the best only," he said.

He said government had made all arrangements to ensure that closed camp commenced immediately.

Igwe urged athletes and associations to be focused and ready to represent the state at the festival. (NAN).

Vanguard Nigeria