Edo State contingent to the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, began their quest to reclaim their rightful place in Nigerian sports by winning four gold, 2 silver and one bronze medals in the opening day events Wednesday.

The state contingent demonstrated its resolve to coming out tops at the end of the fiesta with some excellent performances by its athletes. Specifically,  the state won 2 gold, 2 silver and 1bronze medals in Kungfu as well as, 2 gold in darts Wednesday.
Similarly, two of the state’s female cyclists qualified for the finals.

Spokesperson of the Edo state team, Precious Ijeoma said, although they were not happy with the accommodation given them, they were ready to excel. ‘We from Edo State perceive the Aminu Kano hostel in Choba park, allocated to us as a means of destabilising us. Even our physically challenged athletes can not come out of their hostels without help.”

Ijeoma criticised the games organisers for approving the place for athletes.

“The environment is so dirty,with bushes all over, no light, no water, it is so bad that eight persons are camped in one room without fan, but we cannot be deterred.

’I wonder why the Local Organising Committee of the Garden City Games certified such a place that is not habitable. The building has  stagnant water in its surroundings  that breeds mosquitoes. Some of our athletes are already falling sick. It is frustrating especially because some of our athletes had to go for competition this morning without bathing.”

Ijeoma, however, reiterated their determination to do well, their condition notwithstanding..
“We are determined to win this competition no matter the tricks employed to disarm us psychologically.”