2025 Niger Delta Games: Bayelsa comes alive as games trials bug spreads

Posted : 14 March 2025

Bayelsa State communities may have sprung to an unusually high tempo of sporting activities as youngsters look to be part of the state contingent for the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).

The regional sports fiesta is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from April 1-8.

In his rustic community of Kolokuma in Kolokuma/Opukuma and Yenagoa Federal Constituency, Goodluck Kingsley Lawrence felt a nudge of providence when he first heard about the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) through his coach, Inafia Gagbe. He couldn't place the source of his upbeat mood, but still, the feeling of excitement kept rising.

Canoeing isn't one of the most commonly discussed sports in Nigeria, though it's a traditional activity of his native Ijaw people from Bayelsa State.

There is hardly a life outside their aged, rugged wooden boats in the water-bound communities.

Also, fishing is the dominant means of making a living, and commuting is largely aquatic. So, paddling comes naturally to Goodluck Lawrence and many others, both male and female.

The NDSF has canoeing as one of the 17 sports to be contested, and Coach Gagbe sees it as an opportunity to maximize the natural habitat of the indigenous Bayelsa people at the festival and beyond.

The State Liaison Committee for the festival commenced trials for selection at the Local Government and Constituency zones on Thursday, March 13, for Canoeing at the Kolokuma/Opukuma and Yenagoa Federal Constituency.

Speaking of his expectations at Peace Park Lake, Gagbe commended the NDDC for supporting the sports festival, which was initiated by Dunamis Icon. He went on to pledge that Bayelsa State would showcase its fishing skills in the sport of canoeing.

Goodluck spoke of his dreams of pursuing a career in canoeing and hopefully making a name for himself and the state.

"It is my dream to turn this natural way of life into something that will bring greatness to my state in sports," Goodluck said.

Timitimi-Funwei Erekposeigha, a former national swimming champion and coordinator of the events, also offered assurances that Bayelsa State would utilize its indigenous environment to its advantage.

Meanwhile, the Table Tennis trials were also held at the multi-purpose hall in the Sports Complex in Yenagoa.

Present to witness the proceedings were the Sports Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Daniel Igali, and the Chairman of the Bayelsa Table Tennis Association, Mr. Amaebi Stow.

Two aspiring ping-pong players, Benjamin Richard and Tukuru Faith, expressed their desire to make the state proud at the festival in Uyo.

Faith said, "I am prepared to do my very best, to qualify, and hopefully, to come out on top and win a gold medal. Bayelsans should expect two gold medals from me."

Trials in swimming, boxing, weightlifting, and football will begin today.

2025 Niger Delta Games: Bayelsa comes alive as games trials bug spreads

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