FIC Report (Rivers State) – The Rivers State Government has assured the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) of a secured environment to host the 43rd edition of the annual Federal Public Service Games in Rivers State.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo gave the assurance on Friday, 1 November, 2024 during a press conference at the SSG Conference Room, State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt.
According to him, “His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara has granted his approval to host this year’s Public Service Games, and we are ready to get every necessary facility ready to host very seamless and superlative games.
“The game is christined ‘Simplified Rivers 2024’, and will commence on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, to Thursday, 5 December 2024. It is expected that arrival will start on Monday, 25 November 2024 to Tuesday, 26 November 2024. I am sure with time, before the date, details will be given of the days for the different sporting events.
“His Excellency has asked me to on his behalf thank both the federation at the national level and our civil servants for coming together to see that sports is brought to the fore in the lives of our civil servants and public servants in Rivers State.
“I am sure you all know that generally, wherever sports take place, it is a win-win for all. It is a win for the State, and for everyone that is coming.
“His Excellency being a civil servant once, knows the benefits to derivable from these games, and wants all civil servants and public servants in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole to take advantage of the opportunity to be winners of these games.
“We are assuring of the usual Rivers hospitality when the guests arrive. So look forward to top-notch facilities, and secured environment for you people to freely express yourselves and compete to be winners.”
The National President of FEPSGA, Comrade Aloku Amaebi, on his part commended the governor of Rivers State for graciously accepting to bring the 43rd Public Service Games to Rivers State.
He noted that the event is a national sports festival and not less than 10,000 athletes, officials and dignitaries is expected to participate in the event.
Speaking further, Comrade Amaebi said that, “This is not the first time Rivers State is hosting the Public Service Games. Before now, Rivers State hosted the Public Service Games under the leadership of Sir Dr Peter Odili.”
He disclosed that two paralympic games, para-darts and para-tennis are introduced into this year’s edition of the games to experiment the participation of the Persons with Disability community and to create a culture of inclusivity that values and support the incredible talents of all athletes including Persons with Disabilities.
He also commended the Central Planning Committee for the plans ongoing, while urging the press to give enough publicity to the games, so that it will mobilize local participation, especially traders and artisans to take advantage of the games.
Also speaking at the press conference, the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, who is the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the Simplified Rivers 2024, Dr George Nwaeke in his opening speech disclosed that the governor received the honour to host the games with great joy, and the local planning committee have been set in place, and having been working for some time, is ready to host the games.
He revealed that, “As a civil servant, I am very happy that we are receiving our colleagues from federal establishments to Rivers State.
“It will create opportunities for further development. There will be increased commerce in the State within the period that participants will come, and at the end of the day, we are looking forward to a very memorable celebration.”
While responding to questions bothering on the importance of the games to civil servants and Rivers State, Dr Nwaeke said the Public Service Games portends long and short term benefits for Rivers State and for the nation.
He enumerated that the games will foster team building, relieve stress on civil servants, bring about talent discovery, among others.
He therefore called on Rivers State civil servants already screened for the games to make Rivers State proud by performing excellently in the different games they have volunteered to participate in.
Speaking earlier at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, informed the press that the essence of the press conference is to kick-start the arrangements for the 43rd Public Service Games which Rivers State is hosting.
About 16 sporting events are billed for competition by delegates for medals in various categories. They include handball, volley ball, athletics, scrabble, tennis, chess, among others.
Four main venues in the State capital will be used for the games, and they are: Yakubu Gowon Stadium, the Port Harcourt Club, the Sharks Stadium, and the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
Also in attendance at the event were members of the Local Organizing Committee and Permanent Secretaries.
The Federal Public Service games is an annual sporting event that brings together the sports clubs in the Ministries Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the Federal Public Service, aimed at enhancing the physical well-being of public servants and encourage sportsmanship in the Service.
Signed
Helen Nsirim
For: Head of Centre
Port Harcourt
