Team Bayelsa is set to participate in seven team sports at the ongoing South-South zonal elimination, as they prepare for the 23rd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Arriving in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Sunday, February 23, 2025, Bayelsa’s delegation consists of 218 athletes and officials. The team will compete in men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s football, men’s and women’s hockey, women’s basketball, and men’s handball.
Following the completion of the technical meeting on Monday, the various states are now ready to compete for the opportunity to represent the South-South region at the festival.
Sir Braveman Wodi, Director of Sports and chairman of the South-South Directors of Sports, expressed Bayelsa’s readiness for the elimination rounds. He emphasized that the delegation is in Benin to showcase the state’s sporting prowess.
He highlighted that the meeting aimed to address all concerns related to venue, transportation, and game rules to prevent any disputes during the competitions. Wodi described the South-South region as the powerhouse of sports in Nigeria.
With a contingent strength of 218 athletes and officials, Bayelsa is competing in men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s hockey, women’s basketball, men’s handball, and men’s and women’s football. The team’s goal is to secure qualifications in these sports.
The action kicks off tomorrow with men’s volleyball taking on Delta State at Emotan College, Benin, starting at 8 AM. Abula will begin their campaign at 8 AM at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, alongside men’s handball. The men’s hockey team will face Delta at 9:30 AM, followed by the women’s hockey team against Edo State at 12 PM at St. Maria Goretti.
In the football event, host Edo and Bayelsa will clash at Crescent Club field on Tuesday at 8 AM, while Delta will face Akwa Ibom at 10 AM. The women’s category will see Delta go up against host Edo State at 12 PM, while Bayelsa gets a bye. Beach volleyball matches are scheduled to start at 9 AM at Ihogbe ICC Road, Benin.
