Tonye Orabere
The Chairman of Grassroots Development Initiative, Engr. Promise Alabere has appealed to Rivers State Government to build more sporting facilities in the State.
He said building sports facilities will give youths opportunities to indulge in sports activities, and make easy to host competitions and other tournaments.
Engr. Alabere made the appeal in an interview with sports journalists shortly after the closing ceremony of this year’s edition of Old Port Harcourt Secondary Schools Football Tournament and athletics Competition held at Sharks Football Club Stadium, in Port Harcourt.
According to him this year’s edition of the competition was more better than the previous one because they were a lot of improvement in the area of screening , medicals and listening to good advises.
“There are improvements in this edition because we did medical outreach before now, we equally did proper screening as you know this very competition is for people above Forty years, including taken good advises from people.
“Our challenge is just venue, you know in Port Harcourt township we have just one major Stadium like this one, am not talking about those ones that are far apart.
” I am appeal for more sporting facilities to make Rivers State a sporting hub in Nigeria as it used to be in those days”, Engr. Alabere said.
He used the opportunity to thank God and Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) family for ensuring that the tournament is successful.
At the end of the tournament in the female category (athletics) Government Girls Secondary School Harbour Road emerged champions.
While for the male Stella Maris College emerged champions as they beat Enitonnia High School 5-3 in a penalty shootout, after they barren draw in regulation time.
Government Technical School (GTC) emerged winners of the third place as they beat Baptist High School Port Harcourt 1-0.