It was the turn of Abia State to receive and parade the Niger Delta Games torch on Thursday morning as one of the Games Ambassadors, Joseph Edidiong brought it in from Akwa Ibom State.
A weight-lifter clad in the colourful Akwa Ibom State tracksuit, Edidiong arrived Umuahia Township Stadium and was met by the State Sports Commissioner, Hon. Nwaobilor Ananaba, who is also the Chairman of the State Liaison Committee.
Ananaba then led the procession to the Government House where the delegation was received by Governor Alex Otti, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; and accompanied by the Chief of Staff at Government House, Pastor Caleb Ajagba.
Meribole said that the state has made necessary preparations to draw a decent performance at the games starting in Benin, Edo State from February 20-27.
He charged the athletes to compete with courage and win fairly and congratulated the nine states of the region for being the first to have their own regional multi-sports competition. The SSG expressed the expectation that the region will extend its dominance in discovering and raising athletes for the country.
Meribole would go on to commend the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission for accepting to sponsor the games as designed and implemented by Dunamis-Icon Limited.
On hand to witness and supervise the process was the Project Director for the Games, Fred Edoreh, who thanked the state for the reception accorded the torch ceremony.
According to the torch tour roaster, Imo State is next on the line to receive the Games symbol.
