Anambra State government officials have expressed regrets over their athletes who were poached by other States to compete for honors in the 18th National Sports Festival.

As Eko 2012 draws to a close, Anambra, home of top quality Nigerian athletes have no gold medal to its name from the tracks, but a check revealed that athletes who were groomed in the states have been contributing to the success of other States.

"It is a very regrettable development and there is nothing we can do," said Uche Amaku, the personal assistant sports commissioner, adding, "Before we knew what was going on, our top athletes have been poached by other States."

One of the athletes, Ugeh Kasie submitted that she and the others have no option than to move to States where they well remunerated.

"It is not our fault. When you look around, you will see Anambra athletes in Rivers, Delta, Kano and elsewhere. There is no other way for us to get money but to move on," she said.