The cross River state Youth and sports commissioner, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, has stated that the Games of the 19th National sports festival (NSF), Calabar 2014 will be world class.
Ugbe, who stated this during the closing ceremony of the 18th edition “Eko2012” games at the Teslim Balogun stadium commended Lagos state for putting up a memorable event especially the opening and the closing ceremonies.
He also noted that, he was around all through in Lagos along side some prominent cross River state sports professionals to observe and understudy the general organization of the Eko 2012 games.
“I must confess to you that, the spectacular show put up by Lagos as host of the 18th National sports festival is putting us under serious pressure, but one thing I am sure of ids that, calabar is the place to be in 2014.
“The ceremonial aspect of the calabar 201`4 won’t be a big issue considering our pedigree in entertainment as our annual calabar Christmas carnival will put us in the stead to give Nigerians the best in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.
Ugbe commended his athletes for finishing 8th on the overall medal table with 12 goals, 14 silver and 49 bronze medals.
Delta state won the festival with 114 gold, 99 silver and 75 bronze medals while host Lagos came 3rd behind 2011 host, Rivers state with a combined total of 399 medals.
Past winners and hosts of (NSF):
1973: Lagos hosted – mid-west state won
1975: “ “ – mid-west state won
1977: Kaduna “ – Bendel state won
1979: Ibadan “ – Lagos state won
1981: Benin “ – Bendel state won
1985: Ilorin “ – Oyo state won
1988: PotHarcourt “- Bendel state won
1991: Bauchi “ – Zone 2 (Bendel, Ondo and Rivers) won
1996: Benue “ – Lagos state won
1998: Imo state “ – Lagos state won
2000: Bauchi state “– Delta state won
2002: Edo state “ – Edo state won
2004: Abuja “ – Delta state won
2006: Ogun state “ – Delta state won
2009: Kaduna state “- Delta state won
2011: Rivers state “ – Rivers state won
2012: Lagos state “- Delta state won
