By Solomon Nwoke
RIVERS state has continued to hold on to its lead in the 17th National Sports Festival it is hosting as it has won a total of 86 medals with 45 gold, 17  silver and 34 bronze.

Defending champions of the festival Delta trails behind with 24 gold, 26 silver  and 28 bronze to make a total of 78 medals.

According to the latest medal available to Sports Vanguard by the Games  Organising committee at 4pm yesterday, Edo state is placing  third with 11 gold eleven  silver and 14 bronze.

Rivers lament poor showing in darts

The Rivers State darts team have lamented their dismal performance at the ongoing 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, blaming the development on the poor quality of players.

The team have only won two bronze medals in the seven categories of the event decided so far at the festival.

Anthony Akanfe, head coach of the team said that the lack of exposure of a good number of the players affected their performance.

“The players we presented could not match their counterparts from other states due to inexperience.
“Players from Benue, Edo and Delta, who are currently doing well in the event, have darts academies where they are given adequate training.

‘By attending these academies, they become employees of their respective state governments, which make them give their best whenever they represent the states,” he said.

Akanfe said that in spite of their handicap, his players had done well and could improve if the necessary structure was put in place for success in future.

A player, who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the poor accommodation provided by the organisers initially unsettled them.

“We had to sleep inside the bus for two days before arrangements for our accommodation were sorted out by the state’s sports council.

“Most of the successful teams at the event had their accommodation sorted out early by their states, as the organisers of the festival made no provisions for the accommodation of darts players and golfers,” she said.
Benue is leading the medals haul in the event with four gold medals followed by Edo with three.
Benue increased its gold haul on Monday by winning the 701 Singles male event and the 501 female event through Orngu Terlanga and Orban Membe respectively.
Overall, Rivers are leading the medals table at the festival with 37 gold, 12 silver and 15 bronze.