Bayelsa State is making bold moves to dominate the netball scene in Nigeria, with preparations in full swing for the upcoming National Sports Festival scheduled to hold next month in Abeokuta. The state’s netball coordinator, Catherine Sasuode, has declared that Bayelsa is not just participating — they’re coming to conquer.
The Bayelsa netball team has already begun screening players for the second-ever netball demonstration event at the festival. According to Sasuode, netball has seen rapid growth in Bayelsa, especially among secondary school students. The state has hosted three competitive events in the past two years alone, proving that the grassroots game is alive and thriving.
Much of this progress is thanks to the partnership with Naija Netball Stakeholders and the *CSED Initiative, whose innovative *Sporting Coders programme has used netball as a vehicle for promoting health, education, and empowerment for the girl-child. “We want to see CSED back in Bayelsa for another round of training for our P.E. teachers,” Sasuode stated.
The success stories are already rolling in. Four alumni of the Sporting Coders programme — all former students of Tare Pet Group of Schools — are now university undergraduates, studying fields from medicine to microbiology. The programme not only introduced them to netball and STEM but also supported their academic journeys with scholarships and stipends.
Meet the shining stars:
- Victory Woyengipreye Gesiye (Medicine, Afe Babalola University)
- Wisdom Alaere Nathan (Political Science, Niger Delta University)
- Chloe Woyengidoubara Gesiye (Pharmacy, Afe Babalola University)
- Victory Peremoboerei Wenibowei (Microbiology, Rivers State University)
And the impact is expanding. Even boys at Tare Pet School have now picked up netball — a once-female dominated game — opening the door for even greater reach and inclusivity.
As Sasuode puts it: “Netball in Bayelsa is not static. We lead in Nigeria, and we won’t relent. We’re taking the game to every corner of the state.” The recent celebration of IDSDP 2025 on April 4 was just another testament to that drive.
Bayelsa State is not just participating in netball — they’re setting the pace. Watch out, Abeokuta.
