****Director of Sports Dedicates Trophy to Governor Diri, Athletes
Bayelsa State have been crowned champions of the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival, organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.
At the end of the event on Monday, Bayelsa amassed a total of eighty nine medals, comprising forty two gold, twenty nine silver, and fifteen gold medals, to finish top of the table, with Delta in second position with forty one gold, twenty six silver and thirty two bronze medals, followed by Edo, Rivers, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Imo and Cross River State.
In an interview with Sports Journalists at the Uyo Township Stadium, venue of the closing ceremony, shortly after the trophy was presented to the State, Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi attributed the success story to the synergy and dedication of the state government, sports administrators, and the athletes.
He notes that the commitment and hard work of the athletes and coaches ahead of the festival were exceptional, which has paid off, as God has crowned their tireless efforts with the trophy.
Sir Wodi also praised the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri for making sports one of his cardinal agenda, which has transformed the subsector, as well the relentless efforts of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and Sports Development Commissioner, Hon. Daniel Igali.
“As the saying goes, there is dignity in labour and of course not forgetting the God factor, and I can say God is on our side in this competition. Our target was to be on the podium.”
“In the first five days of this competition we were second, so we went back and rallied round ourselves to perform better in the remaining events. Two days to go we came tops and we never looked back. Although it was a close fight between we and Delta, but we maintained the lead till the end.”
The renowned sports administrator stressed the impact of winning the Niger Delta Sports Festival on the state, as it will boost the morale of the athletes and coaches, ahead of the National Sports Festival.
“This competition is a closes competition, under twenty five, the National Sports Festival is an open competition with Nigerians in the diaspora eligible to contest. But what I can say is that we are going to put in our best so that we will hold our own.”
The Director of Sports concluded by congratulating the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for the successful event, adding that if hosted annually, will create more opportunities for the teeming youths.
