The Founder of SamKay Athletics Club, Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, attributes Team Bayelsa’s outstanding performance in athletics at the ongoing Niger Delta Sports Festival to the substantial investments and commitments made by Governor Senator Douye Diri in the sports sector.
Dr. Oredipe, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association and Director-General of Bayelsa Government New Media, commended the athletics team for making the state proud at the inaugural festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
As of 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, Team Bayelsa had won no fewer than five medals in track and field events. The team will also compete in four relay finals on Monday.
Bayelsa secured gold in the women’s 200m event, thanks to the daring and energetic Sofia Efetobore, who also claimed silver in the women’s 100m event.
In the men’s category, Daje Lucky won silver in both the 100m and 200m events, while Austin Ezuruike earned bronze in the men’s 100m race.
Team Bayelsa’s relay teams have qualified for the men’s and women’s 4x100m finals, as well as the men’s and women’s 4x400m finals.
Speaking to journalists at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, the venue of the event, Dr. Oredipe remarked that Bayelsa had joined the ranks of top-performing states in athletics and was poised to dominate track and field events.
“With our performance here, it is clear that we are doing something right in Bayelsa athletics. We have become a force. I believe everyone saw it—even when medals were being awarded, it was Bayelsa, Bayelsa, Bayelsa—not just in athletics but in other events as well.”
“We are pleased to have this as a rehearsal for the upcoming National Sports Festival next month in Abeokuta. This outing shows that we will go back, prepare further, and shine again in Abeokuta with plenty of medals. You can see the results of hard work from our coaches and officials. Since this is the first edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, we will return and improve for next year.”
“Beyond the Governor, who is a passionate and active supporter of sports, this performance demonstrates that his investments in sports development are the right investments. Additionally, we are constructing a modern stadium that will enhance athletes’ training.”
Dr. Oredipe also expressed his delight at the performances of athletes discovered through SamKay Athletics Club, who represented Bayelsa State at the festival.
“Our young athletes from SamKay are participating in the festival. Young Perezide Sigah competed in both the women’s 100m and 200m events, while Faith Ezechukwu ran the race of her life in the women’s 400m finals.”
“Additionally, Faye Perfect delivered an impressive performance in the men’s 4x400m relay heat. Goodluck Kabowei has qualified for the men’s 110m hurdles finals, and Mekioniso Messiah leapt 6.68 meters to secure 5th place in the men’s long jump. Samson Teibowei was exceptional in the men’s 800m final, running a sub-two-minute race.”
Dr. Oredipe emphasized SamKay Athletics Club’s commitment to discovering and nurturing young talents, providing them with opportunities to excel.
“At SamKay, we are identifying young talents, nurturing them, and providing them with opportunities like this. Many of them participated here, which validates that we are doing something right—recruiting them at a young age and giving them platforms to grow. SamKay Athletics Club is working tirelessly to produce the next generation of champions.”
Acknowledging the challenges associated with talent discovery and exposure, the Director-General, New Media to the Bayelsa Governor, reiterated the importance of private sector involvement in sports development.
Written by Ndubisi Patrick
