The Rivers State Ministry of Sports and University of Port Harcourt have reached a partnership which will see Athletes of the State camp and train at the facilities of the Institution ahead of the participation of Team Rivers at the upcoming 2025 National Sports Festival.

Speaking at a brief ceremony to seal the partnership at the University of Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Barr. Chris Green described facilities at the Institution as some of the best, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent.

Barr. Chris Green, Rivers State Sports Commissioner


He added that he was confident that the benefits of the alliance will be latent and positively affect the chances of Team Rivers emerging as Nulli Secundus amongst the committee of States at the upcoming NSF.

"We have the rare privilege of having the University of Port Harcourt here in Rivers State and what you have been doing in this school is such that other Universities (in the country) should emulate," Barr. Green, a three time Sports Commissioner in Rivers State, said.

"The facilities and equipment you have here and the manner in which you have maintained them (to consistently remain in optimum conditions) has made us come here.

"And in line with our policy to develop Sports at grassroots level, most of the athletes with us at Team Rivers are products of the University of Port Harcourt," he added.

On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill expressed excitement at the partnership, noting that the Institution will always welcome Athletes of Team Rivers with open arms.

"This University will always partner with the Rivers State Government and we are pleased and honoured that the Sports Ministry has chosen us, yet again to camp their athletes for the NSF," Professor Georgewill stated.

Afterwards, the Rivers State Sports Commissioner and his team also paid a courtesy call to the management of the Sports Institute of the University of Port Harcourt with a member of the contingent, foremost Sports administrator, Professor Ken Anugwege acknowledging the importance of the interaction.

"This visit is important as this (Uniport Sports Institute) is the facility and it is our earnest hope and desire that this partnership ends in positivity for Rivers State," he said.

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