2025 NDSF: Delta State will bounce back, says Sinebe

Posted : 11 April 2025

Delta State remains the leader in Nigeria's sports sector despite finishing second behind neighboring Bayelsa at the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, which took place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

This was the submission of the Chairman of the House Committee on Sports in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Sinebe.

Hon. Sinebe, who attended the inaugural Niger Delta Sports fiesta, stated that Team Delta would bounce back, describing the result as a wake-up call to the state's contingent. He emphasized that Delta, which prides itself as the nation's leader in sports, would not allow its performance at the regional sports fiesta to detract from its focus.

In an interview, Sinebe said that lessons had been learned from the performance of Team Delta and urged the athletes to redouble their efforts and preparations to ensure the state retained its title at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta next month.

The legislator challenged the management of the Delta State Sports Commission to dig deep and reinvent the state's preparations for a successful outing in Abeokuta, stressing that the state could not afford to relinquish its leadership position in Nigerian sports.

He called for early camping and decisive strategies to enhance the state's performance in the biennial sports fiesta, often referred to as the Nigerian Olympics.

Sinebe, however, lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his consistent funding of the state's sports sector. He also called on the private sector to partner with the state government to elevate the sector, asserting that sports remained a powerful tool for eradicating poverty and unemployment, as well as enhancing security. He noted that sports helped reduce crime rates, as athletes were rarely involved in criminal activities.

He also commended the Chairman of the State Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborevwori, and the management of the commission for their dedication to duty. While they gave their best at the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, it was not enough to secure the top spot. Delta placed second behind the eventual winners, Bayelsa, with one gold medal less—Bayelsa had 42 gold medals, and Delta had 41. Sinebe described the games as fiercely contested.

2025 NDSF: Delta State will bounce back, says Sinebe

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