The 5th edition of the National Schools Sports has kicked-off in Port Harcourt at Liberation Stadium, Elekahia, on the 27th of January, 2013 with 22 states in attendance at the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony featured march past by all the 22 states participating in the match past.
Speaking at the ceremony, sports commissioner for Rivers State, Hon. Fred Mbombo Igwe welcomed the athletes and stated that Rivers State is a state of opportunity and not just a sporting state.
He assured the athlete and officials of the State’s glorious hospitality, pointing out that the state will give the competition its maximum support to succeed.
Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, president, National Schools Sports festival, on his part, appealed to both officials and participating states to have in mind the common goal of the competition which is to expose hidden talents in the federation to replace aging athletes in future competitions for Nigeria. “If we are ready, we will discover talents; therefore let us make use of the talents available before us”, he said.
He appreciated the Rivers State Government for hosting the rest of the states in Nigeria just to provide a platform for the children to expose their talents.
Yemi Idowu, representing the Minister of Sports, wished good outing to the participating states.
Mrs. Okoye, the representative of the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on her part, revealed that physical education was drafted in to the school system in the national examination council in a bid to support sports in discovering and enhancng skill and talents in the schools.
Advising the officials and participating states to discourage winning at all cost tendency, she said that officiating could mar the beauty of the game, advising them to be more open and careful, owing to the importance of the competition to the nation.
Deputy governor, Tele Ikuru, who represented the chief executive, stated that “the children are here to share common love”, pointing out that “children that are here will be the hope of the country in sports”.
He hinted that the officials and the participating athletes should do whatever they can with the spirit of sportsmanship and openness with fairness. Ikuru after his speech declared the ceremony open.
Miss Goodness Fuludu took the oath of participation on behalf of the athletes while Sir Daobu Harry, Director of Sports Council, Rivers State, took the oath of participation on behalf of the officials.
Ogun State came first in the march past, Rivers State and Cross River State were adjudged second and third respectively. Ebonyi was fourth, Delta fifth and Ondo State, sixth place.
The Rivers State U-13 team beat Lagos U-13 football team 1-0 which rounded off the end of the opening ceremony. ###
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