BY TONY UBANI
As at the time of this report, Lagos state was stuck in the 12th position of the medals table with 4 gold 8 silver and 14 bronze when the winners Rivers had recorded 78 gold. Lagos State is the next host of the 18th National Sports Festival.

Tongues are wagging on the performance of the once mighty Lagos and the possibility of the Centre of Excellence rising up from the “dead” to perhaps host and win the festival as is the case with Rivers State.

Vice Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Council, Tayo Balogun scratched his forehead, muttered some words and said that it was still not over for the state of aquatic splendour. “It is not over yet for Lagos State. We are targeting to finish at the 5th position.

To us, that will be a descent position and a descent outing. You have to bear in mind that Lagos does not poach athletes like other states. We’ve been  developing our youths and they will explode when Lagos hosts the next edition.

EXHAUSTION ••• Absence of medical personnel at the Amiesimaka's Stadium as athlete offer assistance to themselves.

Moreso, our camping of athletes will start the moment we get back to Lagos. There is nothing to be ashamed of because we know that we have the will and manpower to surpass what we have seen in Rivers. That does not mean we are taking anything away from them.

They have done absolutely well and we commend them for that. Watch out for Lagos. We have a Governor whose love for sports is incomparable with any other Governor. We’ll raise the bar higher”, Balogun a seasoned Journalist said.

Festival: Edo Commends Athletes

Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon Iziegbe Anita Evbuomwan has congratulated the State’s contingent to the 17th National Sports Festival for a wonderful outing in spite of the myriad of challenges they encountered in Port Harcourt.

Commenting on the State’s performance so far, the Commissioner noted with delight that, Edo State will emerge tops at the end of the events, disclosing that the State has won a total of 34Gold,17S and 19Bronze medals as at 4pm,yesterday July 6th,2011.

In a release signed by the PR0 of the Ministry, Precious Igbonwelundu, Edo sports Commissioner expressed optimism that the Main Organising Committee will rectify the discrepancies with the medal’s table, stressing that Edo state has accurate records of medals and the athletes who won them.

While urging other athletes who haven’t completed their events to put in their best in the competition, Hon Evbuomwan maintained that it is only Edo state that employs athletes and gives them the opportunity to grow in the state’s Civil Service after winning laurels during festival.

All hope not lost – Ekiti director of sports

Benjamin Ade-wumi, Ekiti director of sports says the state is still hopeful of winning more medals in the on-going 17th national sports festival.

Ekiti is presently occupying the 27th position on the medals table with a total of six medals comprising one silver and five bronze medals.

‘’ All hopes are  not lost and we are still sure of winning more medals” he said.

Adewumi said in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that though expectations had not been fully met, team Ekiti was hopeful of winning more medals.

‘’ We thank God for what He is doing. We are not doing badly ,except that our expectations have fallen short but then, all hopes are not lost.

‘’ We are already on the medals table .We have one silver and we have won about six bronze medals  and we are still in the competition.
‘’ We still have have about six of our boxers in the quarter final stage and that is a medal zone .

‘’ Two of our golfers are still on .Chess ,we are doing well there and I pray that at  the end of the day ,we are coming out as we planned initially” he said.

Adewumi said the main  and local organizing committees have tried their best to ensure successful hosting of the games ,despite initial challenges encountered.

He assured  that team Ekiti would not disappoint the people saying that the contingent was eager to make the people of the state happy especially Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

‘’ Governor Fayemi has been wonderful to sports development in the state. He released money for us to go to camp early and met all that we needed. For that gesture, we promised to do  well and make the people happy” he said.