The 2024 BYSSOSA Week concluded in grand style with the presentation of awards to 16 distinguished sports personalities. Awards were given in categories such as Best Coach, Best Secretary, and to BYSSOSA members who had reached the age of retirement or completed 35 years of meritorious service in the Bayelsa State Civil Service. Other awards recognized excellence in grassroots sports development.
In the individual award categories, Tony Torunarigha, Head Coach of the Bayelsa State Basketball team, was named Best Coach of the Year. Mrs. Jane Apreala received the Best Secretary of the Year 2024 award, while Mr. Ama-ebi Ebikpolade Stow was honored as the Best Sports Administrator/Chairman of the Year. Dr. Kolawole Oredipe was recognized for Excellence in Grassroots Sports Development for his contributions to the growth of athletics in Bayelsa. Additionally, Mr. Ebikeme Diri received an award in recognition of his rising profile as an organizing secretary.
The BYSSOSA Week, which commenced on September 5, 2024, featured several activities, including a 6km sensitization walk from Ekeki to the Bayelsa State Sports Council in Yenagoa. A friendly volleyball match was also played between Bayelsa State coaches and the Sports Organizing Secretaries, ending in a 1-1 draw.
The final day of the event saw a keynote address delivered by Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, who spoke on the theme “The Future of Sports and the Role of Sports Organizing Secretaries in Bayelsa State.”
A sports stakeholders’ summit also marked the event, featuring a panel of sports personalities, including Chief Patimidi Tukuru, former Director of Sport at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, current Director of Sports, and Mrs. Ruth Ouserigha-Etebu, a retired permanent secretary. Mr. Freeborn Ophibikoro, Executive Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Academy, Asoama, also joined the panel. Discussions centered on the need for insurance and hazard allowances for sports workers and the importance of creating a governance structure that places sports organization firmly in the hands of professionals within the state sports council.
In separate remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Daniel Igali, and the Director of Sports praised the organizing secretaries for their teamwork and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the continued development of sports in the state. Hon. Igali also made a cash donation to the 12 retirees honored during the awards ceremony.
Dignitaries in attendance included Hon. Daniel Igali, Commissioner for Sports Development; Chief Patimidi Tukuru, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources; Mrs. Ruth Ouserigha-Etebu, retired Permanent Secretary; His Royal Highness, King Rowland Toinpre, the Amananaowei of Kianbiri Community; Mr. Freeborn Ophibikoro, Executive Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Academy; and the award-winning chairman of the State Table Tennis Association, Mr. Ama-ebi Ebikpolade Stow. Also present were Dr. Linus Okoro Egbe, Secretary of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, Director General of New Media for the Bayelsa State Government, and the President of the Yenagoa Table Tennis Club, Rev. Father Anthony Embeleakpo Suoware.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving the future of sports in Bayelsa State and celebrated the contributions of key figures in the sector.
