The 43rd edition of the Federal Public Service Games, FEPSGA, being hosted by Rivers State and christened Simplified Rivers 2024 will Officially come to a close today with the  Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara expected to formally draw the curtains.

According to a press statement signed by the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-committee of the LOC, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, the closing ceremony is scheduled for 9am today at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt and will have in attendance federal and state government officials, athletes, technical officials and members of the public.

In the last one week, Rivers State has played host to over 8,000 athletes from 80 Ministries/Departments/Agencies of federal government, in addition to Team Rivers.

The Games have been held in an atmosphere of intense competition by all the athletes, with new champions emerging in some of the events.

It is the 2nd time the state would be hosting the annual event that brings together federal civil servants to compete for honours, whilst also using the opportunity to keep fit and network.

The closing ceremony will witness the presentation of trophies and medals to winners in various sporting events.

The Federal Public Service Games scheduled to end today in Port Harcourt has been described as an excellent event in all ramifications by participants, especially, athletes, officials and fans.

According to some athletes and officials, Rivers State has been an impeccable host in providing top notch facilities, exciting and friendly ambience and commendable organisation in the 43rd edition of the Games.

Speaking after the volleyball final(men), the captain of Team Education, who beat their Rivers counterparts to the top spot, Adarolex Mgbede said that Port Harcourt had been exciting and interesting in the course of the Games and that he would go home with several experiences and lessons.

“Rivers has done a wonderful job hosting this Games, the facilities are top notch, it’s the best so far. This is my first time here and I must say kudos to Rivers”, he said.

For the Welfare Officer of Team Education, Muibi Charles, Simplified Rivers 2024 is the best he has experienced in FEPSGA in his 15 years of being part of the Games. According to him, “This edition, particularly, the opening ceremony was well organised and the aesthetics gave it an international colouration. Besides, the level of dignitaries that attended the ceremony was a plus, the government of Rivers State has really tried for the public servants in Nigeria by hosting this game”, he stated.

He also declared his willingness to come to the state again if the government wishes to host again. “If the government is ready to host us again, I am sure that over 98 percent of those who were here will like to come again.

The coach of FIRS men’s volleyball team, Yammai Bege Bayern on his part observed that the 43rd edition of the Games showed a remarkable improvement in every aspect and that the standard of the package put on show by Rivers State as hosts played a major role.

“Rivers took the Games to next level by their organisation, especially, the facilities. They tried as hosts, put every facility in place, it has been wonderful. In fact, we least expected what we saw, even at the hospital, particularly, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, injured athletes were given commendable attention and they did not pay a dime. I will give Rivers, the government and people up to a hundred percent score. If I have the opportunity, I’ll come here 100 times over and over again”.

Gabriel Nwanetanya

It was a mixed bag of emotions for Team Rivers volleyball contingent in one of the last events of the Federal Public Service Games, yesterday in Port Harcourt.

The male and female teams had sailed to the finals of their events with relative ease, the women brushing aside every opponent in straight sets, while the men only got tested in their quarter final match, where they prevailed over their Trade and Investment counterparts, two sets to one.

Both Rivers teams set up a final showdown for the gold medal match with the Ministry of Education teams.

Being the hosts and slight pre match favourites, most spectators on hand to watch the exchange of fireworks as the games unfolded were sort of subdued after Rivers women took the gold in a relative one-sided straight sets, 2-0 and their male counterparts lost theirs in similar fashion to the Ministry of Education team. They initially flattered to deceive in a closely contested first set, conspiring to throw away a 14-13 lead to eventually capitulate 14-15.

The largely anticipated fight back from Team Rivers in the second set failed to materialism as the opponents ran away 25-8 to close out the contest and claim gold.

A day earlier, Team Rivers, led by evergreen Obia Inyegiyikabo had shown a measure of dominance in the pool, securing an impressive haul of medals in the events they were restricted to.

Inyegiyikabo easily dominated in the women’s 100m freestyle, 50 and 100 metres backstroke to show that she still possess the ability to do the state proud despite the passage of time.