OTUKPO – Cross River on Saturday emerged winners of the seventh National School Sports Festival held at Otukpo, Benue State.
The Otukpo victory made it the fourth consecutive time the state triumphed over others in the festival.
To win the festival tagged “Mark of Excellence”, the state’s athletes hauled 124 gold, 91silver and 84 medals.
It was followed by Anambra with 82 gold, 102 silver and 119 bronze medals while Lagos came third with 74 gold, 51 silver and 50 bronze medals.
Declaring the games closed, Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo, described it as successful.
Danagogo said that the National Sports Commission would monitor, groom and support the talents discovered at the festival towards realisation of the transformation agenda in sports.
While observing that the festival was not held with the best facilities, he said that there was a lot of experience from Otukpo, which could help the development of sports in the country.
He said that his ministry had supported the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) over the years and lauded the President of the Senate, David Mark, for his interest in the development of youth sports.
In his remark, NSSF President, Ibrahim Mohammad, congratulated the participants, Cross River contingent that won the festival, and urged governments of absentee states to reconsider their stance on the development of the Nigerian child. (NAN)