The festival torch for the 2nd Niger Delta Games has been lit in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Receiving the torch at the ceremony, which took place at the Samson Siasia Complex, Governor Douye Diri commended the organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Sport, Daniel Igali said the fiesta which is the first regional sports festival in the country had placed the Niger Delta region as the leader in sport development.
“Let me thank the organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games.
“With this initiative, they have placed the Niger Delta States ahead of every other region in the country. So, we commend them for this and we hope that they would even put up a bigger and better tournament this time” he stated.
He expressed optimism that Team Bayelsa would excel at the Games scheduled for Benin City and top the overall medals table just as it did at the inaugural edition in Uyo last year, promising to provide the necessary support for the athletes to do the state proud.
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The Chairman/CEO of the project consultants to the Games, Chief Itiako Ikpokpo represented by the Secretary of the Liaison Committee for Bayelsa State, Mr. Loveday Herbert said the lighting of the festival torch was a critical aspect of the fiesta.
Herbert said “the lighting of the festival torch represents unity of all the states in the Niger Delta region.
“The goal of every sporting event is to unify participating states, athletes and officials. It is used to foster a spirit of friendship and compete in a fair competitive environment.”
While commending the Bayelsa State government for receiving the festival torch, he gave an assurance that the best of facilities and organization had been put in place to ensure a successful sports festival.
