Apart from the excitement of discovering new talents in Nigerian sports, Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, of Rivers State , hopes to use the Garden City 2011 National Sports Festival, to redefine tourism in the state and also make a statement in infrastructural development.

Information Commissioner, Ibim Semenitari, said Gov. Amaechi has in his development strides observed that major sporting events across the world were always used to bring fresh developments and has decided to use the Garden City games as a Nigerian model.

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“That is why we are building new roads, bridges, constructing stadia with the latest facilities you can find anywhere in the world and generally ensuring that the huge investment we have thrown into the games is seen and felt by the Nigerian people who will be visiting and the good people of River State .

The former Lagos based prolific writer further added that the people of the state have been mobilized to showcase the true potentials of the state as a tourism destination in Nigeria , instead of the negative postulation of kidnapping and youths restiveness that has recently been associated with it.

She assured athletes and officials that major roads that were being constructed will be completed on time for their arrival, noting that traffic jams will not be witnessed throughout the games in Port Harcourt .

“I also charge those who do not believe what I’m saying to visit the University of Port Harcourt Games Village, Liberation Stadium, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium and the several roads we’re constructing to see for themselves”.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ), is expected to lead all 36 state Governors to the opening ceremony of the festival in Port Harcourt by June 28, Semenitari revealed. The event has already been described as a once in life-time show by the Commissioner.