By KATE OBODO

Chairman of the Games Councils Committee to the  18th National Sports Festival, tagged Eko 2012, Brigadier-General Emmanuel Okaro has said that Lagos state  is  planning towards  hosting the best-ever festival billed to hold from November 27 to December 9, 2012.

Okara, who is also in-charge of technical matters at the festival disclosed that the state is also making sure that all the facilities at their  disposal are  in  proper order and the required  standard for the events.

He said  that in spite of national acclaim that the 17th edition held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in 2011 was the best,  he believes the best was yet to come, as Lagos plans big in terms of good facilities, venues, accommodation for both athletes and officials and as well good hospitality for its guests.

“Lagos State has been making serious effort to ensure a successful  hosting of the forthcoming National Festival later this year. If you look at the facilities they have, you will find out that most of them were worn out but the hosting of the festival has given the state an opportunity to put the facilities in  proper shape.

The state is doing its best in upgrading all the facilities that would match the standard of the National Sports Festival and I think with what I have seen so far, Lagos would do better in this year’s festival,” he said.

Asked if the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashiola  has been supportive ahead of  the festival, General Okaro said, “So far the Governor has been supportive and he has  asked for excellent facilities, athletes’ welfare and comfort for all the contingents as well as visitors. With his suport,  I think Lagos would surpass the show put up  in the last festival by Port Harcourt.”