The Message from the Creeks This Time
By Godfrey Azubike
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Degema Local Government in Rivers State has proved that the Niger Delta creeks are not about militants only but sport stars too
The youths from the creeks of Rivers State made an important statement at the recently concluded 8th Rivers State sports festival tagged "Unity Games." They proved to the world that in spite of the crisis resulting from the violent activities of the militants, something good could still come from them.
Degema local government area which has often been the theatre of war for the militants, and a typical riverine area of the state emerged tops at the fiesta. In the event in which about 2,000 athletes from 23 local governments participated, Degema local government area brushed aside the remaining 22 local government areas of the state, leading them with a total score of 81 medals comprising 46 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze medals. This earned them monetary reward of N30 million from the state government. Okrika local government area came second with a total of 56 medals comprising of 19 gold, 19 silver and 18 bronze. The council received N20 million, for its efforts.
Obio/Akpo LGA came third with 49 medals comprising 18 gold, 17 silver and 14 bronze. It received a cash reward of N10 million. Akuku-Toru, Opobo/Nkoro, Abua/Odual, Ogu/Bolo and Port-Harcourt Local Government areas took the 4th, 5th 6th, 7th, and 8th positions respectively. But they got no cash reward. Tai local government area performed miserably as they failed to clinch a single medal at the fiesta.
Tonye Harry, speaker of the state house of assembly, was behind the huge success recorded by the youths from Degema at the games. The speaker was said to have given the Team Degema tremendous financial and moral support that enhanced their victory at the fiesta. Harry’s contribution posed great challenge to other members of the state assembly, especially those whose local government teams performed poorly at the game.
Declaring the festival closed. Chibuike Amaechi, the state governor, expressed the resolve of the government to address the issue of dilapidated facilities at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex. He said the government was looking for ways to provide needed infrastructures, repair available ones and bring them to the required standard. The governor stressed the administration’s commitment to the development of sports at the grassroots level in order to engage the youths of the state. "Sport is one of the major avenues to draw the youths out of hiding, and government is willing to reward youths that excel in sports," he said.
The governor said the fiesta was organised to give youths the opportunity to explore their talents, and to enable the local government areas to have a forum to interact socially. He advised youths in the state to shun restiveness and give government’s effort conducive environment to bear fruits. Amaechi revealed that provision would be made in the next year’s budget to accommodate the renovation of sports facilities in the state.
Boma Iyaye, the state sports commissioner and chief host of the Unity Games, said the restoration of the games after many years in limbo demonstrated the desire of the present administration in the state to restore the lost glory of the state in sport. He said it would lead to "the discovery, harnessing and development of budding talents that dot the rivers, creeks and lands of the state, as the Treasure Base of the nation."
Buoyed by the overall performance of athletes at the unity games and available sporting facilities in the state, he said the government has resolved to bid for the hosting of the 14th National Sports Festival. About 2000 athletes from the 23 local government areas of the state took part in the one week sports festival.
The male football event finals which marked the highlight of the closing ceremony of the games was won by Okrika local government area team. They beat their Port-Harcourt counterparts by a lone goal to clinch the football gold medal of the fiesta. Okrika also beat Khana LGA 1-0 at the semifinal to qualify for the finals while Port-Harcourt LGA walloped Ikwerre LGA 4-0 to reach the finals.
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