Gombe State contingent to the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival tagged 'Eko 2012' in Lagos is eyeing to surpass its performance at the last edition of the championship held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The national tournament holds from November 27 to December 9 in Lagos and the chairman of the newly created Gombe State Sports Commission (GSSC), Malam Faruk Yarma said the state is preparing to wipe away the memory of the poor performance recorded in Port Harcourt last year where they failed to win a single gold medal.

He said the state governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo approved seven weeks of intensive close camping for the athletes and from all indication they are ready for the task ahead. "We have been in close camping for four weeks now and I confirm to you that the athletes are full ready to do the state proud in the Eko 2012 Games. His Excellency approved seven weeks of closed camping for us. This is the first time Gombe athletes are camping ahead of the National Sports Festival and we cannot afford to disappoint His Excellency for this gesture."