Bayelsa State government says it’s working around the clock for the State to have a productive outing in the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali gave the hint at a meeting with coaches, organizing secretaries, management staff and association chairmen at the multipurpose hall of the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Igali noted that the essence of the meeting was to brainstorm ahead of the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, pointing out that the only way to consolidate on the achievements recorded in the last two festivals was early preparation for athletes.
He explained that Bayelsa took the challenge in 2021 in Benin City, Edo State were they finished third with about seventy one gold medals behind the host State, stating that Bayelsa finishing second in the last festival in Asaba, Delta State with over forty gold medals above Edo was as a result of their collective efforts.
The Olympic gold medalist noted that the target for Bayelsa is to stop Delta State monopoly of the National Sports Festival, calling on association chairmen, secretaries, coaches and athletes to see next year as today in order to have a fruitful festival.
He assured all the associations that the state would provide everything they need to execute the games, maintaining that the state would feature in every sport and the athletes would be well kitted.
Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi who described Bayelsa story as unique in the last two fiesta, commended the coaches and the athletes for their consistency, noting that the continuous reward of athletes by the government was playing a significant role on the athletes.
He asserted that Bayelsa athletes would not rest on their oars until their target to finish first place is achieved, pointing out that the state has gone beyond participation but winning.
Chairman of Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association, Mr. Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade in an interview, said he is confident of giving the state at least five medals in the next sports festival.
He noted that the performance of his athletes in the various national competitions was a pointer of the association’s readiness for the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta Ogun State.
