By Kelvin Obambon
Cross River government has assured investors that the state has standard facilities that can host any sporting event, both national and international.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, gave the assurance on Tuesday when she, alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, received a team from the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, that was at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, to inspect facilities and determine their suitability for the hosting of MTN CHAMPS.
Interacting with members of the team, the Commissioner informed them that Cross River has played host to several big events of national and international repute, and that the state was not resting on its oars as it continued to develop and improve upon the standard of sporting facilities at the U.J. Esuene Stadium and elsewhere.
She then told them that for a state with a sports friendly governor, Cross River is ready and willing to meet their recommendation, if any, and put in place adequate modality in order to ensure the state does not miss the chance to host the MTN CHAMPS.
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In the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Mr Ekanem Ekpenyong, said Cross River has been playing host to Mobil Track and Field event, stressing that “it wouldn’t have been possible to host event of that nature if the facilities here were not up to standard.”
Continuing, the SA said “we will give you all the support and conducive environment for you to bring that competition here. You have seen the way the state is – very hospitable. We have everything that you need. We have the equipment and we are willing to allow you use them. Cross River is sports friendly. We are hoping to bring the under 20 national team to camp here.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Taldang Tanimu, said they were in the state “to inspect the facilities in order to bring in a very gigantic event that will benefit the athletes, the children and the entire community. If given the approval, I believe this programme will make a very big impact on this state.”
Tanimu who is the Assistant Secretary General of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria, said from what they have seen on ground, “it’s good enough to host this competition – MTN ChAMPS in collaboration with MOC and AFN.”
MTN CHAMPS is a programme in Nigeria that aims to unearth and foster athletic talent across the country. It is modeled after the Jamaican High school CHAMPS and is poised to become the primary platform for identifying and nurturing promising athletes who could go on to represent Nigeria in prestigious international competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mr Samuel Egbala; head of elite sports, Mrs Victoria Ugobo; the stadium manager, Mr Andotan, among others.