In a press briefing which held yesterday at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Michael Ani’s office with the entirety of the Local Organising Committee members under the Chairmanship of Chief Emeka Ndili as President of the National Sports Association for the Judiciary and Hon. Effiom Effiwatt as Co-Chairman of the LOC.
Addressing the media team on behalf of Government was the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Comr. Asu Okang who assured of the State’s readiness to host the competition which according to him, some of the athletes were already in the various training pitch and more were expected to touch ground today.
“For us as a Government, His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ayade Benedict gave consent to the hosting of this event regardless of the considerable lean financial resources of the State. But we have decided as a matter of patriotism and mark of respect for our own illustrious son who is the Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Justice Walter Onneghen who is also an indigene of Cross River State and HE Ben Ayade has directed that this game be hosted in CRS and that’s why we are here.
We have engaged the various security agencies like the Nigerian Police, Quick Intervention Squad, Homeland Security and have already provided well comfortable accommodation which we bore the cost for all our dignitaries that are going to grace the occasion at the Transcorp Hotels and other logistics to see that the event runs without any itch” he added.
Over 1,000 athletes are expected to take part in the tournament, with restrictions to just members of the judiciary and well over 300 officials.
In his remark, the Chairman of the LOC stated that about 19 States of the Federation and 11 Federal Courts and Judiciary institutions across the Federation have indicated interest to be part of the tournament with about 1,000 medals will be awarded to competitors.
Clearly categorized as follows;
400 Gold medal,
300 Silver and 300 Bronze medal with three outstanding dignitaries in the country to be awarded with Honours for their contribution to the Association which was founded in 1993.
Summarily the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development encouraged the Young people of Cross River State to take advantage of the event in engaging in trade activities for extra income as stands are being given for that purpose.
Ekeng Inyang
Media Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development,
Cross River State.