Governor Diri Reaffirms Bayelsa State’s Commitment To Host 2028 National Sports Festival

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his commitment to completing all necessary projects to ensure that the state can host a seamless National Sports Festival in 2028.

Governor Diri made this announcement on Tuesday at the Government House in Yenagoa during a courtesy visit from a delegation of the National Sports Commission, led by Director General Bukola Olopade.

In his address, Governor Diri asserted that Bayelsa State is ready to host the festival, citing the significant investments his administration has made in the realm of sports. He acknowledged that the previous challenges in hosting the National Sports Festival were largely due to inadequate sporting facilities. However, he confirmed that this issue is being addressed with the ongoing construction of a 25,000-capacity stadium, which can be expanded to accommodate 35,000 spectators.

The Governor assured that financial constraints would not hinder the completion of the stadium, as 30 per cent of the construction cost has already been disbursed to the contractor. He also stated that the contractor has committed to finishing the project by the targeted completion date of 2027.

Furthermore, Governor Diri highlighted his administration’s substantial investments in security, which include the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems that monitor the state around the clock, resulting in a noticeable reduction in crime.

He expressed confidence that, given Bayelsa’s track record in sports, the state would soon be officially announced as the host for the festival.

He stated: “Today is historic in the sporting history of Bayelsa State. We have consistently participated in national sports festivals. As a former Commissioner for Sports, I am pleased that we have made a bid that is well regarded by the National Sports Commission.

Our state is peaceful, and we pride ourselves on our hospitality. We welcome visitors with open arms. Under my leadership, we have appointed commissioners and special advisers who are not originally from Bayelsa.”

“We are thoroughly prepared to host the National Sports Festival. The primary concern in the past has been facilities, but we are currently addressing that. The stadium is designed for 25,000 spectators, with the capacity to expand to 35,000. We have already paid the contractor 30 per cent, and he is committed to working diligently to meet our deadlines.”

“In Bayelsa, we prioritise grassroots sports development. We have established the Governor’s Prosperity Cup, which is already nurturing football talents, as well as hosting wrestling competitions, and we now boast one of the finest table tennis facilities in the country.”

“The issue of crime has been tackled effectively. We have invested significantly in security, and the outcomes are evidently positive.”

Earlier, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, explained that the purpose of their visit was to inspect the facilities before announcing the host for the 2028 sports festival. He noted that the inspection covered security infrastructure, medical facilities, wrestling gyms, table tennis halls, and the ongoing construction of an ultramodern stadium.

According to the NSC Director General, based on the recent inspections, he is confident that Bayelsa will be selected to host the festival, describing the state as peaceful, hospitable, and a ‘sleeping giant’ with immense potential in the sports sector.

He remarked: “Bayelsa State has presented an outstanding bid for the 2028 sports festival. I am pleased to see a genuine determination from Bayelsa to host the festival. Bayelsa is indeed a sleeping giant in the world of sports.”

“Yenagoa is beautiful and peaceful. This state is remarkably welcoming, and it is evident that the local population is ready to receive visitors. The facilities we have seen are impressive. Bayelsa is even prepared to host the event today, well in advance of the next chosen host.”

In the spirit of goodwill, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa State, Daniel Igali, commended the state government for prioritising sports development.

According to the world and Olympic champion, the governor has elevated the state’s profile internationally, stating that Bayelsa will host one of the best sports festivals if awarded the hosting rights.

Igali also praised the professionalism of the National Sports Commission delegation led by the Director General for their thorough inspection of all proposed projects for the upcoming games.