Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Friday inaugurated the State Local Organising Committee for the hosting of International Sport Press Association (AIPS) World Executive Committee Meeting and the AIPS Africa Congress scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt in October, 2020.
Inaugurating the committee at the Government House Port Harcourt, Governor Wike urged members to organise a world class event that will promote Port Harcourt and Rivers State.
He said: “We made a presentation on our achievements in sports at the AIPS Executive meeting in Budapest. The journalists were impressed by the presentation and they resolved to give us the hosting right for the next meeting.
“This meeting is a world Affair. Whatever we do during the meeting will leave an impression on them. We should deliver a world class event. “
He urged the committee members to work together to ensure that the Executive Meeting of the AIPS meeting meet acceptable International standards.
He said: “Everybody should work together to achieve the very best. If it fails, history will not forgive you. See your inclusion as an assignment that must be carried out. “
Governor Wike directed the Chairman of the committee to carry all the members along. He warned against any form of friction in the hosting of the global meeting.
He also charged the SWAN President to guide other committee members on what is required of them for the successful hosting of the AIPS Global Executive Meeting.
Gov Wike directed the committee to submit its preliminary report in two weeks. He said that preparations must commence in earnest.
“This is the first time that Nigeria is hosting this event and it is happening in Rivers State. Committee members must work together to place Rivers State on the Global map.
“We are hosting international sports journalists. This is an opportunity to promote Rivers State. After the meeting, the international sports journalists should be our global ambassadors,” he said.
Chairman of the Committee and President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Mr Honour Sirawoo thanked Gov Wike for the opportunity to serve. He said that committee members will deliver a world class meeting.
He said that Governor Wike has made history by attracting the global meeting through his outstanding performance in sports.
He noted that Governor Wike became the first African to win the Power of Sports award. He said the meeting is a unique gathering that will attract all interest groups in sports.
Those inaugurated by Governor Wike are: 1.National President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo (Chairman) Commissioner for Information, Paulinus Nsirim, Christopher Green, Special Adviser, Real Madrid Academy, Special Adviser, School Sports, Aribitonye Okiri, Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State, Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Ohia Prince, Commissioner for Special Duties, Governor’s Office, Emeka Onowu, Commissioner for Culture, Tonye Oniyinde, Ngowari Kalio, Geru Omereji, Senior Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Protocol, Ambassador Harold Koko, O. Adele and Dr Jacob Beredugo, Executive Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Research and Documentation (Secretary).
The AIPS Global Executive Committee meeting is expected to attract Executive Council members from 70 countries from different continents of the world.
