Former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, has expressed immense pride following the outstanding performance of Patience Okon George, an athlete discovered through his administration’s sports development programme between 2009 and 2015.
According to Imoke, George’s record-breaking run in the women’s 400-meter race at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, stands as a shining testament to the enduring impact of investment in grassroots sports.
“It gave me a lot of joy to see a product of my 2009–2015 sports development programme in Cross River State win and set the only record so far at the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta in the women’s 400-meter race,” Imoke stated on his verified social media handle.
The senator described George as “the epitome of hard work, dedication, and focus on continuous improvement,” adding that her performance solidifies her status as a “legend in the making.”
Imoke noted that George’s record was even more remarkable given the lack of close competitors during the race. “She ran her own race in front and paced herself into the record books,” he said, emphasizing her discipline and self-motivation.
Statistical reports from the festival show that Cross River State has made significant improvements in its performance compared to previous editions, further underscoring the legacy of sports development initiatives introduced during Imoke’s tenure.
Patience Okon George’s triumph not only adds a feather to her cap but also reinforces the long-term value of structured youth sports programmes in Nigeria.
