Team Cross River has emerged overall best in the 2-week long National School Sports festival, hosted by Rivers State.
A breakdown of their medal haul shows that the team bagged 89 gold, 88 silver and 87 bronze medals to top the table.
Delta State came second with 81 gold, 85 silver and 68 bronze, while the third position went to Rivers State, the host, with 56 gold, 38 silver and 60 bronze medals.
Announcing the result, Saturday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, the NSSF President, Ibrahim Muhammad said the federation was out to ensure the development of school sports.
He lauded the Rivers State Government for accepting to host the competition, adding that the sports festival goes beyond winning medals. According to him, the event has afforded the children the opportunity to understand the cultures of other people.
Muhammad frowned at the states that did not allow their schools to participate in the competition.
He urged states to ensure that the sporting facilities are upgraded across the country.
The NSSF President announced Akwa Ibom State as the host of the next competition.
In his remarks at the event, the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi thanked Rivers State for providing enabling environment for the successful organization of the games. According to him, the schools sports are in line with the United Nations (UN) provisions of human rights.
He advised non-participating states to desist from violating UN charter on Human Rights. He was represented at the event by Alhaji Hassan, Director, Grassroots in the National Sports Commission, Abuja.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports, Rivers State, Fred Igwe, said he was happy the event was successful hosted by the state. Igwe, who was represented by Mr. Paulinus Nwakwoala, Permanent Secretary in the Sports Ministry, called for the sustenance of the competition, noting that the 2 weeks have been eventful.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would go places with the school sports and assured the NSSF that Rivers State is prepared to host the event again whenever it is called upon to do so.
Highlight of the program was the presentation of trophies to wining states in different categories. ###
Barth Ndu
