Olopade Commends Bayelsa’s Preparation to host 2028 National Sports Festival

By Andrew Abah

The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed commitment to completing all projects needed to enable Bayelsa State host a hitch-free National Sports Festival in 2028.

Governor Diri stated this on Tuesday at the Government House, Yenagoa during a courtesy visit by a team of the National Sports Commission led by the Director-General, Bukola Olopade.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the state had come of age to host the festival given the huge investment of his administration in sports.

He noted that what hindered Bayelsa in the past from hosting the NSF were sporting facilities, which he said were being addressed with the construction of a 25,000-capacity stadium, which can be expanded to 35,000.

The Bayelsa helmsman assured that funds would not delay completion of the stadium as 30 per cent of the construction cost had been paid to the contractor, who had equally promised to deliver within the stipulated date of 2027.

Governor Diri also stated that his administration had invested heavily in security, having procured Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras that monitor the state 24 hours and ensured that crime was reasonably reduced.

He expressed the optimism that given its antecedents in sports, Bayelsa would be announced as host of the festival.

He said: “Today is historic in the sporting history of Bayelsa State. We have been participating in national sports festivals.

“As a former Commissioner for Sports, I am happy that we have made a bid that is acceptable to the NSC. Our state is peaceful, and we are a very hospitable people. We love visitors. Under my government, we have commissioners and Special Advisers that are not Bayelsans.

“We are very prepared to host the National Sports Festival. The only issue we had was facilities, but we are addressing them. The stadium is 25,000 capacity and it’s expandable to 35,000. We have paid the contractor 30 per cent, and he is working day and night and has given us assurance.

“In Bayelsa, we are more interested in grassroots sports development. We have the Governor’s Prosperity Cup, which is already producing football stars. We also have wrestling competitions and now one of the best table tennis facilities in the country.

“The issue of crime is one that we have tackled very well. We have invested so much in security, and the results are obvious.”

Earlier, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olapade, stated the reason for their visit which was to inspect facilities before announcing the 2028 sports festival host.

He said facilities inspected included the security infrastructure, medical facilities, wrestling gyms, table tennis halls as well as the ongoing construction of an ultramodern stadium.

According to the NSC DG, from what the team saw, he was confident that Bayelsa will get the nod to host the festival, describing the state as very peaceful, hospitable and a sleeping giant with great potential in the sports sector.

His words: “Bayelsa State presented an amazing bid for the 2028 sports festival. I was happy to know that there is an intentional desire by Bayelsa to host the sports festival. Bayelsa is a sleeping giant in sports.

“Yenagoa is beautiful and peaceful. This is an amazingly peaceful and beautiful state, and it tells me that these are people ready to welcome visitors. The facilities on ground are amazing. Bayelsa is even ready to host the event today more than the next host.”

Meanwhile, in his goodwill remarks, the honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Daniel Igali commended the state government for placing premium on sports development.

According to the world and Olympic champion, the governor has placed the state in a pedestal of admiration globally while adding that the state will host one of the best sports festivals if given the hosting right, he said while Igali commending the professionalism of the nation.