FORMER Nigeria and African sprints champion, Mercy Nku, says the appointment of Patrick Ugbe as Cross River State's Sports Commissioner shows the determination of Governor Liyel Imoke to make the state the sports hub of the country.According to Nku, Ugbe's appointment is apt, especially now that the state is preparing to host the National Sports Festival and the 30th World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) championships both in 2014.'Governor Imoke's administration has demonstrated the capacity to host world-class events. Many people in the world of athletics are still talking about the excellenttechnical and administrative organisation of the annual Obudu International Mountain Race. Even the president of the WMRA, Bruno Gozzelino, has severally commended the LOC for the race for its flawless organisation of the race and the governor for his total backing of the competition.'This shows that the state already has a track record of organising big sporting events. And with Ugbe directly in-charge of the overall administration of the state backed by an able and sports loving governor, Nigerians and indeed the entire sporting world should expect a world-class organisation of both events,'' she said.Meanwhile, Nku has successfully completed a degree course in Nursing from the York University in Toronto, Canada and she says,'I am really happy it is all over. I want to specially thank Governor Imoke for his moral and financial support all through the period I was in school.'Now I can start charting a new career for myself after a distinguished one in track and field. I will still be involved in track and field but this time in a different capacity,'' she said.
Click here to read full news..
