FEPSGA 2024, Best Organised Tournament Ever, Says Gold Winning Handballer
3 min read
Captain of Team Ministry of Trade and Investment at the just concluded Federal Public Servants Games which won a gold medal in the female category of the handball competition, Istafanus Tina Bello has said that this year’s edition of the tournament was the best organized she has ever witnessed.
Bello said in an interview shortly after her team’s victory that winning the medal was not an accidental achievement because they spent time and energy preparing for the event.
Her position was corroborated by the president of FEPSGA, Mr Aluku Amaebi who was full of praises for the governor for the hospitality the participants enjoyed while the games lasted.
According to him, the state government and its people showered love on the participants and officials, adding that the event started and ended in magnanimous spendour, compared to other editions. The games christened Simplified Rivers 2024 was the 43rd edition.
Team Rivers, Ministry of Education, Office of the Secretary to the Government Of the Federation, the Customary Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court made lasting impressions during the tournament. The NPA won overall medals.
Surprisingly, the Federal Inland Revenue Service and Team Rivers which started on a very high note, failed to sustain the heat. In the male football game, the Customary Court of Appeal won the gold medal, defeating the National Refugees Commission 5:2, on penalties.
While the game lasted, the economy of the state received a serious boost. And, against suspected plots by some persons to frustrate the games, the competition ended peacefully, with traders, food vendors and other classes of business people cashing out throughout the period.
TNN observed that food sellers took advantage of the competition to smile to their banks, especially those who operated at the civic centre/Sharks Stadium axis. Their mammy market was a beehive of activities as the participants flooded the place on daily basis to experience Port Harcourt delicacies.
It was observed that dealers on bole and fish enjoyed very high patronage, even though the cost of their food was a little higher than what obtained outside that area. Some of them who spoke to TNN said they were happy about the opportunity provided by the games and prayed that such an opportunity should always come their way.
The economic impact of FEPSGA 2024 on Rivers State cannot be overstated. Hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and local markets experienced a surge in patronage, creating a ripple effect of prosperity for small and medium-sized businesses. The influx of visitors also highlighted the state’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential, showcasing Rivers as not just a sporting destination but also an economic powerhouse.
In declaring the games closed, the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr George Nweke thanked civil servants across the country for coming to Rivers state to participate in the game despite the rumors that the state was a center of bombs and unrest.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for accepting the nomination of the state to host the event while also appreciating the president of FEPSGA for the recommendation.
