By Tony Ubani

A planned boycott of technical officials was averted over the weekend here in Port-Harcourt as all the technical officials were paid their dues in full and this has seen a good performance on their part.

It was learnt that the money was paid up to assuage the worries of the officials who were already agitating non payment. Most of the technical official who would not want their names in print confirmed receiving
their dues.

Their action was fueled by the fear that their allowances would not be paid in time. Many of them would not conclude their events before end of the Games.

We won’t go to Tribunal if Rivers win Sports Festival — Delta

Defending Champions of the Sports Festival, Delta State is unruffled with the amazing runs of Rivers in the on-going Sports Festival and would congratulate the State if they finally dethrone them from the pinnacle of the Festival.

“It is not a do or die affair. If Rivers win, we will congratulate them. We will not go to any Tribunal to challenge their victory.
They have invested massively in and paying hugely to their athletes. They are our sister state and we will welcome them to the top”, the Executive Chairman of Delta Sports, Melvin Pinnick declared yesterday.

Amaju and his predecessor, Chief Solomon Ogba had taken Delta Sports to an enviable Olympian height thereby making the Sports Festival to become their stronghold.. But out here in Port Harcourt, that control is being threatened.

“The festival is not over yet but I must assure you that Delta State will finish in a descent position. But the important thing is that we have set a structure for our athletes that will be difficult to be met by other states. Our welfare is second to none.

There is job creation and satisfaction for our athletes. Every athlete in Delta knows that the future is bright for them. And most of the retired athletes are the ones holding key positions in Delta State. If Rivers win, it will be a good omen for sports in Nigeria. That shows that other states are coming up and it will be to the glory of Nigerian sports”, Amaju said.