Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Honourable Daniel Igali has heaped praises on the state’s athletes for winning the 2025 Niger Delta Sports Festival.
Igali hailed team Bayelsa for emerging as the overall champions of the inaugural festival ahead of Delta, and Edo States.
Team Bayelsa recorded an impressive haul of 86 medals — 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze to win the festival.
The Commissioner has urged the athletes to prepare to raise the bar at the National Sports Festival in Ogun State in May.
Igali said: “Our athletes ran, swam, wrestled, paddled, and fought their way into history. From the thunder on the tracks to the brilliance on the mats and in the water, Bayelsa’s sons and daughters showcased the new, unstoppable spirit of our state — proud, prepared, and poised for greatness.
“On behalf of His Excellency Governor Douye Diri, I say welcome home, champions! Thank you for making Bayelsa the pride of the Niger Delta at this historic maiden edition of the festival. You stood tall at the centre of a region redefining its future — a future beyond oil, driven by talent, hard work, and excellence.”
He continued: “To the Director of Sports, Braveman Wodi, our dedicated coaches, technical staff, secretaries, media team, and every single athlete who gave their all — you have etched your names into gold. We celebrate you. You have made us proud.
“While we revel in this remarkable achievement, our eyes must now turn to the bigger challenge ahead — the National Sports Festival, Gateway 2025, in Ogun State. It’s time to rest, recover, and prepare to raise the bar once again.”
Delta State came second with 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals. Edo State finished third with 23 gold, 63 silver, and 31 bronze.
Rivers State finished fourth with 63 medals, including 21 gold.
Ondo State claimed fifth place with 43 medals, followed by the host state, Akwa Ibom, in sixth place with 37 medals, while
Abia and Imo States ended in seventh and eighth place with 32 and 42 medals, respectively
Imo placed eighth with 42 medals but fewer golds. while Cross River State came ninth with 31 medals.
