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BAYELSA GOVERNOR LAUDS STATE’S PERFORMANCE AT NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has attributed the commendable performance of the state’s athletes at the ongoing National Sports Festival to his administration’s investment in sports development. In a statement, Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary, quoted Governor Diri as saying the state’s performance at the festival was a result of the government’s commitment to investing in youths. Daniel Alabrah said Governor Diri expressed delight over the performance of Team Bayelsa at the festival, noting that the state was doing quite well and was currently second on the medals table. “I have been receiving daily updates from the Commissioner for Sports and Team Bayelsa is doing very well at the National Sports Festival in Ogun State,” Diri said. “We are hopeful that we will overtake Delta on the medals table.” The governor implored the state’s athletes not to rest on their laurels and continue to compete effectively. Diri promised that the government would give a befitting reception and reward to the contingent at the end of the festival. Alabrah further quoted Diri as saying the government would continue to support the state’s athletes. Diri also lauded the state’s female football team, Bayelsa Queens, for emerging champions of the Nigerian Women Professional League and qualifying to represent Nigeria in the Confederation of African Football Women’s Champions League. He expressed delight that the state’s male team, Bayelsa United, put up a commendable showing in the just-concluded Nigeria Professional Football League. The governor hailed the performance of Bishop Dimieari Grammar School and Saint Jude’s Girls Secondary School, which both won the zonal basketball tournament for schools at Asaba and qualified for the national finals. Diri said the performance of the state’s sportsmen and women encouraged his administration to commit over N100 billion to constructing an Olympic-standard stadium. Alabrah further quoted Diri as cautioning youths against clitism and other vices, urging them to take advantage of the government’s investments in sports and skills acquisition to be useful to themselves and make the state proud. “I want to advise youths that their lives are very precious to us. It is not too late to leave cultism and embrace a better life,” Diri said.

NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IN OGUN STATE

The 22nd National Sports Festival kicked off on Sunday with a colorful opening ceremony at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The festival, which features over 700 athletes from Delta State, is expected to be a closely contested event with participants from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shetima, declared the festival open, emphasizing the unifying power of sports. “Indeed, nothing has brought the nation together like sports, whether on the pitch, in the court, or on the track. We are reminded daily that we are not strangers to one another, we are compatriots drawn from different roots but drinking from the same well of national pride,” Tinubu said. Delta State, known for its winning streak, was a highlight of the ceremony, with its team displaying the trophy won in the last edition and dancing to the admiration of the crowd. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, urged Team Delta to bring home the trophy again. “Team Delta has won the National Sports Festival eight times, so it is natural that the team wins again. I urge the athletes to put in their best to emerge victorious,” Oborevwori said. The festival is expected to feature 36 sporting events, with athletes from across the country competing for top honors. The opening ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, and governors from various states. The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, was also in attendance, along with former international Dr Segun Odegbami and other top political functionaries and sports enthusiasts. With Team Delta’s strong record and determination, the festival is set to be an exciting event.