From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Cross River State Sports Commission has deployed 282 athletes and 12 officials for the forthcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival, as the state intensifies reforms aimed at repositioning its sports sector.
Chairman of the commission, Mr Etta Lawrence Itanya, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, which was attended by vice chairmen from six local government areas.
Itanya said Cross River would compete in 16 sporting events at the regional festival, stressing that the commission’s primary responsibility was to ensure proper coordination, preparation and athlete readiness.
“Our duty is to put our house in order and make sure our athletes are fully prepared to represent the state across all disciplines,” he said.
On funding arrangements, the commission chairman clarified that the state government would not be responsible for athletes’ allowances and transportation at the preliminary stage of the competition.
According to him, organisers of the Niger Delta Games, in collaboration with Dona Miss Consultants, will handle logistics, allowances and transportation for athletes and officials throughout the tournament.
“At this stage, the organisers want to be in charge of allowances and transportation to and fro. This is consistent with what was done in the previous edition,” Itanya said, adding that the arrangement would prevent administrative overlaps and ensure financial clarity.
The commission chairman also disclosed that Cross River State has formally submitted a bid to host a future edition of the Niger Delta Games, positioning the state as a strong contender.
He confirmed that the festival comprises nine Niger Delta states and noted that he is a member of the main organising committee made up of sports commission chairmen across the region.
“At my first meeting, I formally bid for the hosting rights. I have since briefed the state commissioner and officials of the commission on the strategic move,” he said.
Itanya added that the race to host the games had narrowed following the withdrawal of another state, leaving Cross River among the frontrunners.
“I am not relenting. Cross River has the facilities and capacity to host the games, possibly as early as the next edition,” he said.
The sports commission chairman also emphasised the importance of grassroots development, noting that sports development must begin at the school level to prevent youth frustration and talent waste.
“If we talk about sports development and ignore school sports, then we are not serious,” he said, revealing that the commission had already written formally on the matter, with phased implementation expected.
Responding to concerns over football development in the state, Itanya acknowledged that Rovers FC had fallen short of expectations but assured that reforms were ongoing to reposition the club.
