Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has received the Torch of Unity from the National Sports Commission ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival, scheduled to take place in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, from May 16 to 30, 2025.
Governor Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, emphasized the importance of peace and unity, noting that sports foster discipline, love, friendship, and national cohesion.
He stated that the upcoming Gateway Games in Ogun State would serve as another opportunity to promote unity among athletes, adding that sports remain a powerful tool for uniting Nigerians across regions and ethnic groups.
Reaffirming his administration’s dedication to sports development in Bayelsa, the governor highlighted the state’s impressive performance at the recently concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo as evidence of its abundant sporting talent.
He encouraged athletes to intensify their preparations for the upcoming festival, stressing the challenge of surpassing the historic 2022 performance in Asaba, Delta State, where Bayelsa finished second for the first time in the National Sports Festival. He asserted that the state has moved beyond mere participation and now competes to win.
Governor Diri reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing the 25,000-capacity stadium to enable Bayelsa athletes to compete on equal footing with their counterparts nationwide. He described sports as one of his administration’s key priorities.
“Bayelsa has embraced sports as a major tool to steer our youths away from crime and drugs. Any youth engaged in sports is unlikely to become a criminal. We are also using sports to combat drug abuse because the two are fundamentally incompatible,” he said.
“We are taking sports seriously to help our youths break free from drugs and find sustainable livelihoods through athletics. As we speak, two Bayelsans are currently part of the U-20 national football team competing in Egypt for the U-20 Africa Championship.”
Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, in his welcome address, commended the government’s unwavering support for sports in the state and described the torch reception event as symbolic and significant.
Also speaking, the head of the National Sports Commission delegation, Mrs. Ikana Mbora, promised an exhilarating festival and assured that the Commission is fully committed to ensuring its success.
In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Barr. Tare Porri, and the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, expressed their readiness for the festival, noting that training camps for athletes have already commenced.
