By Nelson Amaobi Osuala
Fri 05022016. Time 01:06pm
Information reaching
Negroidhaven has it that there seems to be what I may call.. ''a Holy Rebellion''by Fans of the cross River sports festival against her Government.
Earlier this week in an interview,The Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Rt. Honourable Orok Duke, said that the state would be ready to host the coming National Sports Festival at the last quarter of the year.
According to our source, Some sports fans have reacted to the above statement of the chairman and have termed it as unacceptable.
According to them, The Cross River Government’s postponement of the 19th National Sports Festival (NSF), which was supposed to hold in April now to the last quarter of the year is not worthy of applause.
Prior to this time, the Cross River Government had earlier on Monday informed the general public via an exclusive interview that she would be ready to host the biennial competition nothing later than in the last quarter of 2016, making it the fifth time the ever anticipated event has been postponed.
These incessant postponement is to my mind what has made the festive lovers to wonder whether the Body saddled with the responsibility of planning and execution of the event are actually in their right senses.
Why must it be a case of a hatd nut that is difficult to crack for the cross river state Government seeing this is only a lifetime opportunity that must need be ceased judiciously?
Cross river state as we all know is famous for setting the pace amongst other states as it regards Art and culture. Why then is she evidently showing attitude of ill preparedness ?
It is my intention to inform my esteemed readers that this competition in particular, has suffered postponements since the state got the right to host it after the 18th edition, tagged “Eko 2012” which was staged by Lagos State.
According to one Chika Chukwumerije, an Olympian,who expressed his disapointments about the news to our correspondence . Accordong to him, the proposed new period was not in the best interest of coaches and athletes who have already drawn up their programmes.
He further argued that, the hosting which had suffered postponements would cause damage for the athletes and coaches,both psychologically cum physically too as it would " kill" their enthusiasm.
In his words:
“This is a competition approved by our sports authorities to hold every two years but it has been postponed from 2014 to 2015 and now the last quarter in 2016; it’s devastating".
Other individuals also expressed their disappointments and advised that the host state should remember that other foreigners will be participating too and that she ( cross river) should stop giving our dear country Nigeria a bad name with such Inconsistent and irresponsible attitude to duty and good sportsmanship.
Drop your comments below please.
Nelson Amaobi Osuala is a Blogger and an Editor in Negroidhaven.
