The Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, expressed his excitement at being part of the historic groundbreaking ceremony for the 25,000-capacity stadium in Igbogene, Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state. Sir Wodi led the management and staff of the council to the event, which had the “crème de la crème” of Nigerian sports in attendance, alongside former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who performed the ceremony.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the event, Sir Wodi said he was elated to be part of this epoch-making event as the Director of Sports in the state. He felt fulfilled that the groundbreaking of the new stadium was happening during his tenure.
He noted that Governor Douye Diri and Deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo have changed the narrative in the state since assuming office, with their foresight towards the development of sports. He pointed out that the governor’s passion for sports has given Bayelsa a new direction.
While appreciating God for the achievements of the state in the last five years, Sir Wodi asserted that under his watch, the state has surpassed and set many records. He maintained that the performance of athletes in National Sports festivals indicated that the state needs a new stadium to compete favorably with their peers.
According to him, Bayelsa has successfully defended its crown in the National Para games over the last five years, outperforming over twenty-five states in the nation to emerge as champions in the competition. He attributed this success to God.
He explained that his success story as the Director of Sports would be incomplete without the governor’s deliberate efforts to fund sports in the state, as well as the unprecedented supervision of Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The former Bayelsa United acting chairman and secretary opined that the appointment of Dr. Daniel Igali is like a tonic that has lifted the spirits of every athlete in the state, describing Governor Diri as a father and a unifier.
