Calabar 2014 : We’ll raise the bar-Imoke

Cross River state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has pledged that the state will raise the bar of the National Sports Festival by hosting a technologically driven game that would be “world class.”

The governor spoke Friday night in Calabar while unveiling the games logo and mascot-Bamba at the magnificent Venetian event centre.

Imoke who added that the state is not hosting to win at all cost, said what Cross River is out to achieve is to stage a sporting competition that every Nigerian would be proud of.

In his words: “The Centenary Games-Calabar 2014 will be a true celebration of all that is great about Nigerian sports. For us, the main agenda is not to win the games, rather we will make the event a passionate and vibrant exhibition of the peace and serenity that Cross River state is known for. Nigerians will after the games leave Calabar with a sense of pride and fulfillment.”

The games mascot –Bamba which is a specie of guerilla found in the rain forest of Boki in northern part of Cross River was unmasked by athletics legend Mercy Nku, a former African and Commonwealth games gold medalist.

Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC) Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who is the chairman of the games Main Organising Committee (MOC) commended Cross River for staging a colorful logo and mascot unveiling ceremony, pointing out that the success of the show was a clear indication of what to expect in November.

“I am happy the first major pre games event is a huge success. It shows that we are in for a wonderful National Sports Festival come November,” Elegbeleye stated. Popular Nigerian pop star Sunny Sunny Nneji  thrilled the audience with a rendition of the games theme song which he composed, alongside the Calabar carnival girls.