Rivers State has set a target of 160 gold medals for her athletes at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF) taking place in Lagos State.

The Deputy Governor of the State, Engr. Tele Ikuru made this known while speaking to sports journalists at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on Thursday night.

He said the state had a strong team of 701 athletes who are buoyed by the government's hard work and welfare package to win again.

"I already told you that if you do the right thing at the right time, there is no need not to win and I believe that as a state, we have done the right thing at the right time."

Engr. Ikuru said the State commenced preparations for the 18th NSF a month after the conclusion of the 17th edition which the state hosted.

"In the process, we have been able to do several selections, got the best and then put them in top shape and so on. There is no reason why we shouldn't win.

"I have given them my target and my target is 160 gold medals and that is it", he maintained.

Rivers topped the table at the 17th edition with 135 gold medals and presently sit at the top of the table with seven gold medals after just two days.

The festival started on November 27 and will come to a close on December 9t, 2012 with Rivers, Edo, Delta and Lagos States being the major contenders for the top spot.