Bayelsa State Sports Festival opens amidst fanfare

Posted : 14 April 2023

The much-awaited maiden Bayelsa State Sports Festival was on Sunday kicked off amidst fanfare.

Africa Sport Network (ASN) reports that the first of its kind Sports Festival will feature 14 sports which is expected to produce 293 gold, 293 silver and 387 bronze medals.

Gov. Senator Douye Diri of Bayelsa State was on hand to declared the sports fiesta open tagged "Access Bank Prosperity Unity Games.

Gov. Diri during his address urged athletes to follow the symbol of unity that the state's sports festival represents by abiding by the rules that governs the fiesta.

He further stated that the festival was another landmark achievement of his administration in the area of sports development.

Gov. Diri went down the memory lane to explained that the National Sports Festival was one of the measures introduced by the then administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon in the aftermath of the civil war to renew the fabric of the nation's social cohesion.

``Sports is meant to promote the common destiny as a people, the architects of the Festival recognized the unifying power of sports in Bayelsa,'' he said.

While appreciating the sponsors Access Bank, Gov. Diri asserted that the only way to prosperity was to have a sound health, and that the best medicine for prosperity is through sports development.

``I thank my Deputy Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Daniel Igali and Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi for working assiduously in hosting this showpiece.

``The cardinal objective of my administration is the pursuit of youth development through initiatives that empower and create jobs as launch pad for national developmental goals.
Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development Hon. Daniel Igali appreciated the Bayelsa State Government and the sponsors Access Bank for their foresight in hosting the inaugural Prosperity games.

He said he was elated to witness the maiden edition of the Bayelsa State Sports Festival tagged Access Bank Prosperity Unity Games.

``Bayelsa State government's achievement in the sports sector in the last three years is an indicative of the doggedness of the prosperity administration towards sports development.

``This games will feature 240 team officials, 140 technical officials and 194 officiating officials across the 14 sports battling for 293 gold, 293 silver and 387 bronze medals.

``These events will provide a veritable platform to discover untapped talents in the our state.

In a goodwill message, Chief Executive officer of Access Bank Dr, Herbert Wigwe represented by the Relationship Manager Access Bank Mr Kakiri Miebi-Flint, said the bank was pleased to collaborate with the Bayelsa State Government to actualize the prosperity mantra.

He maintained that Bayelsa State has had tremendous achievements in the sports sector in the last three years, noting that the bank is working towards building a prosperous Bayelsa State through sports.

In the opening football match decided at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa , Ogbia Local Government Area forced Brass LGA to two all draw as action continues tomorrow in different sports.

The event which was colorful also featured dance groups, musical performance by Bayelsa famous artist Jah Wonder, and march past by athletes from the various local government areas of the state.

Bayelsa State Sports Festival opens amidst fanfare

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