Igali Confident as Team Bayelsa Chase Niger Delta Games Honours

Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, has said Team Bayelsa are in Benin City to compete for the top prize at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games.

Igali, who made the assertion during an interview at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the Edo State capital, acknowledged that the race for overall honours at the sporting fiesta would be intense and highly competitive.

“For the past three National Sports Festivals, we have finished in the top three  third once and second twice, although in the last edition we were placed third; we believe we deserved second. So we cannot be regarded as also-rans. Bayelsa is among the leading sporting states in the country.

“As for the Niger Delta Games, we won the first edition. This second edition is different. The last one was a senior festival for athletes aged 25 and under; now it is for those aged 19 and under, so we are talking about junior athletes.

 Whoever wins this edition will be winning it for the first time. The one we won cannot be won again, so we stand on a pedestal no other team can occupy.

“However, we are here to compete, and we believe we will be among the top teams. Across the board, we have assembled a strong side, supported by an effective youth discovery network.

 There will be very vigorous competition, but Bayelsa will be among the leading contenders,” he declared.

Speaking on why Bayelsa has emerged in recent years as one of the country’s foremost sporting states, both nationally and within the Niger Delta, Igali attributed the success to the support of Governor Douye Diri.

“Over the past few years, particularly under the present Governor, Senator Douye Diri, there has been renewed drive, momentum and vision. As a former Commissioner for Sports himself  during which Bayelsa attained its highest-ever position on the medals table at the 2006 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta — he has returned with fresh vigour.

 Funding and overall support have improved significantly.

“So when you see Bayelsa competing to become the number one sporting destination in the country, it should not surprise anyone, given the approvals and backing of His Excellency,” Igali stated.

He further revealed that Governor Diri, towards the latter part of his tenure, is overseeing the construction of two new stadiums: a 30,000-seat state-of-the-art facility at Igbogene in Yenagoa and another 15,000-capacity stadium in Sampou, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area.

 The projects are aimed at preparing Bayelsa to host the 2028 National Sports Festival.

According to Igali, the goal is to leave behind world-class sporting infrastructure for the Governor’s successor, ensuring Bayelsa remains consistently relevant on the national sporting stage.

He added that the new facilities would provide athletes within the state and beyond with a conducive environment to train and excel at both national and international competitions.