Adejoke Adefulire Urges Fair Play At Eko 2012

Chairman, Local Organising Committee, L.O.C, of the 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has urged participating teams to embrace fair play during the sporting fiesta.

 Speaking during the hoisting of flags which took place on Saturday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, the LOC boss, who doubles as the Lagos State Deputy Governor, said it became necessary for the teams to exhibit sportsmanship spirit in their quest to win medals.


 “I wish to urge all participating States that as we strive to win laurels, let us remember that we must play fair, and demonstrate sportsmanship in glory or in defeat.

Let us urge all our delegates coming to the Games to compete within the confines of the rules of the Games. "Let the spirit of friendship, fairness and togetherness of Eko 2012 shine through all the aspects of this competition, and at the end of the day we will all look back and remember Eko 2012 as an excellent and memorable sporting fiesta,” she said.

 The Deputy Governor, who described the flag hoisting as symbolic event that engenders the unity of the country, said hoisting of the EKO 2012 Games flag was a cornerstone objective of the National Sports Festival, adding that the unity and togetherness of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would be emphasized and celebrated throughout the Sports Festival as the Games flags were being hoisted.

“The hoisting of State flags ahead of the Festival is a symbolic event that represents the unity of our great Nation. It is a cornerstone objective of the National Sports Festival that as flags of the States are lifted up today, so the unity and togetherness of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be emphasized and celebrated throughout the coming Sports Festival.”

According to her, the hoisting of the flags confirms the participation of all the States, whose athletes, coaches and officials would be in Lagos State in a couple of weeks to compete in various sporting activities ranging from athletics, football, basketball, boxing, swimming, cycling among others.

Orelope-Adefulire assured that the festival would be exciting as talents would be well showcase at the fiesta as she lauded the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) and all the sub-committees of LOC who have worked tirelessly to ensure that a truly fantastic sporting event is staged.

 “Let me, once again, on behalf of the LOC of EKO 2012, personally assure everyone that Lagos is READY! As we promise to give everyone a wonderful and an unforgettable experience,” she said.