2025 NSF: Diri receives Torch of Unity in Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has received the Torch of Unity ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), slated for Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital from the 16th through the 30th May, 2025. The governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, highlighted the importance of peace and unity, stating that […]
leader of the delegation from the nsc, mrs. ikana mbora, handing over the nsf torch of unity to bayelsa state government officials
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has received the Torch of Unity ahead of the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), slated for Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital from the 16th through the 30th May, 2025.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, highlighted the importance of peace and unity, stating that sports promote unity, discipline, love and friendship among citizens of a nation.
According to him, the ‘Gateway Games’ in Ogun State would provide another opportunity to promote unity amongst athletes, pointing out that sports is the only vehicle that has continued to put the country on the path of unity, irrespective of region and tribe.
Diri reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of sports in Bayelsa State, adding that the state’s performance in the just concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo was a testament to the abundance of talents in the state.
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He urged the athletes to prepare adequately for the festival, adding that there is a huge task ahead to surpass the record set in 2022 in Asaba, Delta State where Bayelsa finished 2nd for the first time.
He maintained that Bayelsa has gone beyond the level of participation to winning both local and international competitions.
“Bayelsa has taken sports as a major tool to take our youths away from crime and drugs, because every youth that is into sports cannot be a criminal. We are also using it to control drugs because drugs and sports are diametrically opposed to each other,” he said.
Earlier, the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, in an address of welcome, praised the government’s contributions to the development of sports in the state.
In a remark, leader of the delegation from the NSC, Mrs. Ikana Mbora, said the festival would be an exhilarating experience and expressed the commitment of the commission to ensure its success.
In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Barrister Tare Porri and Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, expressed Bayelsa’s readiness to participate in the fiesta, adding that camping had commenced for the athletes.