Preparations for the 19th National Sports Festival, “Paradise Games” will be stepped up this weekend when Cross River state launches the logo and mascot of the Festival in a high profile event scheduled for Calabar on Friday.
Meanwhile, chairman, Main Organising Committee of the Festival, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who is also the director -general of the National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed satisfaction with preparations for the festival so far
Leader of a powerful team of inspectors made comprising Main Organising Committee members and the project supervisors, had gone to Calabar to inspect the extent of preparations and state of facilities last month,
Hon. Elegbeleye told the media that the work was on going and he was satisfied with the progress so far made
“We plan to come back in April to review the progress we have seen so far. It is work in progress and if the momentum is sustained, Calabar will be ready to host the Festival,” he said.
This weekend, the DG is expected to lead another powerful delegation to Calabar for what the chairman of the Media Sub Committee, Paul Bassey, called: “Killing two birds with one stone….”
As special guest of honour for the special ceremony to launch the logo and mascot of the festival, Hon. Elegbeleye is also expected to take time off to quickly access the progress of work done.
The Cross River state commissioner of sports, Hon. Patrick Ugbe, who is also vice chairman of the Local Organising Committtee, said yesterday that Friday’s event would be one to look forward to.
“Apart from the launching of the logo and mascot, we will also be introducing the festival’s website in a ceremony that will be laced with culture, music, pomp and pageantry.
“For us, this will mark the official beginning of the festival and it is only proper that we get it right,” he said.
As the days unfold, the sports commissioner said the media would be briefed on the specifics of the high profile event that will have governors, ministers, commissioners and the crème de la crème of sports in attendance.
The Paradise Games are scheduled to hold in Calabar from November 23 to December 7, 2014.
