Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has received the Torch of Unity of the 22nd National Sports Festival, ahead of the festival, slated for Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital from May 16-30, 2025.
Gov. Diri, who was represented by Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, highlighted the importance of peace and unity, stating that sports promote unity, discipline, love and friendship among citizens of a nation.
According to him, the Gateway Games in Ogun State would provide another opportunity to promote unity amongst athletes, pointing out that sports is the only vehicle that has continued to put the country on the path of unity, irrespective of region and tribe.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of sports in Bayelsa State, adding that the state’s performance at the just concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, was a testament to the abundance of talents in the state.
He urged the state’s athletes to adequately prepare themselves for the festival, as there is a huge task ahead of them to surpass the record set in 2022 in Asaba, Delta State, where Bayelsa finished second in the National Sports Festival for the first time, maintaining that Bayelsa has gone beyond the level of participation but winning.
Gov. Diri said his administration is committed to completing the 25,000-capacity stadium for the state athletes to compete favourably with their peers, stressing that sports remains one of his administration’s cardinal programmes.
“Bayelsa has taken sports as a major tool to take our youths away from crime and drugs, because every youth that is into sports cannot be a criminal.
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“We are also using it to control drugs because drugs and sports are diametrically opposed to each other.
“We believe that we are taking sports seriously to ensure that our youths get out of drugs and earn a living through sports.
“As we speak, two Bayelsans are currently in the U-20 national football team in Egypt for the U-20 Africa championship,” he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, praised the state government’s contributions to the development of sports in the state, describing the event as symbolic.
In a remark, leader of the National Sports Commission delegation, Mrs. Ikana Mbora, said the festival would be an exhilarating experience and expressed the commitment of the commission to ensure its success.