WELCOME ADDRESS BY HON. DANIEL IGALI, COMMISSIONER FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, BAYELSA STATE, AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY OF THE NEW BAYELSA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM ON FEBRUARY 17, 2025
His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Executive Governor of Bayelsa State,
Distinguished dignitaries, esteemed sportsmen and women, respected guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Today is a landmark day in the history of Bayelsa State. We are gathered here not just to break ground for a stadium, but to lay the foundation for a future where Bayelsa becomes a dominant force in sports and entertainment, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa. I am honored to welcome you all to this historic occasion.
Since its creation in 1996, Bayelsa State has been a powerhouse in Nigerian sports, achieving remarkable milestones despite operating with limited infrastructure. For nearly three decades, the Sampson Siasia Sports Complex has served as our primary sporting facility. While it has hosted many memorable moments, it is no longer fit for the scale of our ambitions. Bayelsa’s successes in sports demand a world-class arena worthy of our athletes and our aspirations.
Under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Bayelsa has experienced an unprecedented rise in sports. Our athletes have consistently dominated national and international competitions. Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens football clubs both earned continental tickets to represent Nigeria in 2022. Our beloved Bayelsa Queens defied all odds to make history as the first Nigerian club to finish third in the CAF Women’s Champions League. At the National Sports Festival, we shattered all previous records, moving from fourth place in 2006 (when His Excellency Governor Douye Diri was Commissioner for Sports Development), to third place in 2021, and then an astounding second place in 2022, with an unprecedented 109 gold medals. Our para-athletes have been back-to-back national champions, setting the standard for inclusivity and excellence. And, of course, Blessing Oborududu’s historic silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has placed Bayelsa on the global wrestling map.
This new, expandable 25,000-seat stadium is more than just a sports arena. It is an economic engine, a cultural hub, and a symbol of our collective ambition. Beyond hosting football matches, athletics, and indoor sports, it will serve as a venue for concerts, international conferences, business expos, and tourism events. With cutting-edge media technology, hospitality suites, retail spaces, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, this stadium will drive economic activity, create jobs, and establish Bayelsa as a premier destination for sports and entertainment.
Now, let us fast forward to 2027, when this stadium is fully operational. Imagine Bayelsa hosting international football matches under floodlights; imagine us hosting the 2028 National Sports Festival, with thousands of fans cheering in a world-class facility. Picture a sold-out concert featuring global music superstars, with Bayelsa becoming the go-to destination for live entertainment. Envision our young athletes training in elite conditions, attracting athletes from the rest of the country and indeed other African countries, preparing to dominate the African Games, the Olympics, and the World Championships. The future of sports, tourism, and entertainment in Bayelsa has never been brighter.
As we break ground today, we are not just building a stadium—we are building a legacy. A legacy of excellence, ambition, and progress. This stadium represents the promise of a greater tomorrow, and with the doggedness exhibited by Gov. Diri and the support of all stakeholders, we will turn this vision into reality.
Once again, I welcome you all to this momentous occasion. The future starts now!
Thank you.
