The 2nd edition of the Go Round/ SWAN Sports Festival for Secondary Schools in Rivers State will take place in the first quarter of 2019.
This was revealed by Bro. Felix “Go Round” Obuah, sole sponsor of the sports fiesta, to members of the Rivers State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) who on Monday honoured him with an ‘Uncommon Achievement’ award with Go Round FC.
The first edition of the Go Round/ SWAN Sports festival took place in 2016 and was competed for amongst secondary school students in the twenty three Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Felix Obuah revealed that he has been looking forward to the second edition of the competition.
“The first edition opened my eyes to the fact that talents abound in the state. I know a lot of the secondary school athletes from the first edition are in the Rivers State team for the Sports Festival and that was the idea when I decided to go into other sports asides my involvement in football,” Obuah said.
“I was also looking at the commitment of the people around me, especially members of SWAN who were supposed to be partnering with me in this.
“However, the second edition will come up in the first quarter of 2019 and I want you (SWAN) to start working out the modalities for the event because it is always great to start planning on time,” Obuah said.
SWAN honoured Obuah with a plaque as an award for Excellence in football proprietorship sponsorship and administration.
SWAN cited the fact that he is the only man from Rivers State who has been able to single handedly sponsor a club from the amatuer ranks to the Nigeria Professional Football League and stabilize in the division.
They also mentioned the fact that through sponsorship of the football club, Rivers State born football talent like Chile Azu, Nelson Esor, Stanley Nwabali and Ngozi Elechi have found themselves at the top in Nigerian football.
As part of the meeting, there was a call by members of the Association for Felix Obuah to run for Chairman of the Rivers State Football Association in the upcoming FA elections.
The stagnation of football in Rivers State, no sponsorship in the FA Cup, no grassroots competitions in the state, exorbitantly high registration fees for the FA Cup that still has no prize money and the complete death of football in the state within the last 12 years amongst others were cited by the Association as reasons why they wanted him to rescue football in the state by going for the position.
With the State FA elections coming up in the 1st quarter of 2019, the members of the association insist it has to be Felix Obuah based on his track record at Go Round FC, the Go Round SWAN Sports Festival, Kris Dera Hotel and other businesses he has run.
SWAN Rivers at the visit informed it will also hold an end of year awards night later this month to honour outstanding sports men, women, journalists and administrators in the state.
