The road to the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba is ablaze with Bayelsa brilliance, as the state’s contingent storms the Zonal Eliminations in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with a performance that’s nothing short of legendary.
Arrival with Purpose
Led by the indefatigable Acting Director of Sports, Mr. Andrew Aye, Team Bayelsa touched down in Uyo with a 250-strong squad, ready to battle across 10 sporting disciplines. And battle they did—transforming participation into domination.
Basketball Blitz
- Female Team: Ruthless and radiant, the girls crushed Rivers 17–9 before obliterating Akwa Ibom 16–2 to top the zone.
- Male Team: A thrilling campaign saw victories over Akwa Ibom (18–14) and Edo (7–1), with a narrow loss to Rivers (17–19) in added time. Still, qualification was sealed.
Football Firepower
- Male Team: Unbeaten in three matches, Bayelsa’s boys booked their ticket to Asaba in style.
- Female Team: Two wins and one decisive clash against Edo remain to determine final standings.
Volleyball Vibes
- Male Team: Straight-set triumphs over Rivers and Akwa Ibom (25–8, 25–18) secured qualification.
- Female Team: Set to ignite the court on Tuesday, August 18.
Softball Supremacy
Bayelsa topped the zone, defeating Rivers and earlier dispatching hosts Akwa Ibom 5–3 to cement their dominance.
Abula Ascendancy
Both male and female teams punched their tickets to the National Youth Games:
- Female Team: Crowned zonal champions.
- Male Team: Clinched second place.
Awaiting Glory
- Handball, Football (Female): Final matches to determine standings on Tuesday morning.
- Beach Volleyball & Hockey: Mixed results so far, with key decisions looming.
Words from the Helm
Mr. Andrew Aye, glowing with pride, declared:
“Bayelsa has moved from merely participating to fiercely competing. Our athletes have shown grit, talent, and the hunger to win.”
He confirmed qualifications in Abula (male & female), Basketball (male & female), Volleyball (male), and Football (male & female), with more sports set to be decided imminently.
Bayelsa’s message is clear: they’re not just showing up—they’re showing off. As the countdown to Asaba continues, the state’s youth athletes are proving they’re ready to take center stage at NYG 2025.
