Calabar– Cross River state on Monday formally received the Unity Torch for the upcoming Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Sports Festival, with a strong commitment to excelling in the competition NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
At a symbolic ceremony held at the Glass House, the temporary office of the Acting Governor, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, led the official handover of the torch to Acting Governor Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Atsu highlighted the significance of the festival, which is being organized as part of NDDC’s 25th-anniversary celebrations. She revealed that Cross River has carefully selected a formidable team of 318 athletes and 56 coaches after rigorous trials conducted at the local government, senatorial district, and state levels.
“We are here to hand over the festival torch to you and to let you know that we are ready to represent this state well,” she stated, adding that the team is poised to make the state proud in the tournament, which will be hosted by Akwa Ibom State.
Receiving the torch, Acting Governor Odey reaffirmed the state’s commitment to active participation in the festival and expressed optimism that Cross River athletes would bring home outstanding victories.
“On behalf of the Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, and the good people of Cross River state, we receive this as a mark that Cross River State is going to participate actively in the NDDC program,” Odey stated.
He also urged the NDDC to ensure Cross River State benefits adequately from its interventions, noting that the state has often been overlooked in past initiatives.
“We hope that as we have received this torch today, the people in NDDC will remember Cross River State positively in all the interventions that NDDC is supposed to make in our state,” the Acting Governor remarked.
Odey assured the state’s contingent of government support and promised to be present at the festival to cheer them on. He further commended the leadership of NDDC for integrating sports into their activities as part of their anniversary celebrations, describing the move as a refreshing approach to regional development.
The Niger Delta Sports Festival aims to foster unity and talent development among the nine NDDC-member states. Cross River’s contingent will depart for Akwa Ibom in the coming days, ready to compete for top honors.
