Akwa Ibom state yesterday joined the rest of the nation to establish its presence In the forth coming National Sports Festival by hoisting its colours at Port Harcourt, Rivers state. The deputy Governor, Mr Nsima Ekere performed the hoisting of the state’s colours assisted by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths And Sports Mrs Rosemary Ekwere and The Director of Sports Mr Aniedi Dickson.

The event which took place at the Sharks Football Club stadium in Port Harcourt attracted the speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, host Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, and Dr. Patrick Ekeji, Director General of National Sports Commission.

The stadium experienced maximum capacity crowd as representatives from all over Nigeria were present. Conspicuously present was Akwa Ibom community in Rivers State who came to cheer the Akwa Ibom delegation at the national event.

AKS Deputy Governor while hoisting Akwa Ibom colours of maroon, white, and maroon expressed the readiness of the state government to support sports development by building an Olympic sized stadium before the end of four years.

The president of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, represented by the speaker of the House of Representatives commended the rivers state government for hosting the festival, noting that sports would continue to be used as a builder of unity in the country.

Speaking with correspondents soon after the hoisting ceremony, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rosemary Ekwere expressed happiness at Akwa Ibom participation at the festival, noting that the performance of Akwa Ibom state athletes in the zonal sports festival was an indication of what to expect.

Similarly, The Director of Sports, Coach Aniede Dickson, and the secretary of the men organizing committee of the just concluded states sports festival in the state, Mr Nse Edem, stated the readiness of ministry officials and athletes to excel in the national fiesta starting next month.

The event featured the inspection of a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Police Force. The National Sports Festival started in 1973 with Lagos state hosting the first edition and this is the second time Rivers state would be hosting another edition, having hosted its first in 1988. The hoisting of the flag is the first in the history of the 38 year old festival.