ABUJA – Akwa Ibom State will host the next edition of the National Schools Sports Festival at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo in 2015, an official said on Monday.
Mr Emmanuel Ebong, Vice-President IV of the festival’s organising body, the National School Sports Federation (NSSF), disclosed this in a telephone interview.
He said Akwa Ibom got the hosting right after missing two opportunities to host the festival.
“Akwa Ibom was to host the sixth edition but could not, owing to lack of facilities. But now, the state government has accepted to host the next edition inside the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo,’’ Ebong said.
“We could not host the two editions awarded to us before now because at that time we had no facility to host an event of such magnitude.
“But, with the construction of the magnificent new stadium in Uyo, we are ready and the government of Akwa Ibom has accepted to host the next edition,’’ Ebong said.
President of the NSSF, Ibrahim Muhammad, also confirmed Akwa Ibom’s readiness.
“They had two opportunities before now, but were not forthcoming then. However, with what they have on ground now in the new stadium, they have no excuse.
“The entire school children of Nigeria will be willing to storm Akwa Ibom to break more new records in the new international stadium.
“Since our official told us Akwa Ibom has accepted to host, we are ready to
storm Uyo next year,’’ he said.
The NSSF president however said his federation would await the state government’s official approval since the tussle to host has been between Akwa Ibom and Katsina States. (NAN)
