Bayelsa State, a fortress for sports in Nigeria

...Ultramodern, multi sports complex soon to be completed - Honourable Igali Daniel

...Heaps praises on sports loving, Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Abeokuta

“The Glory of all Lands, is the tower of strength for sports in Nigeria, the Giants of Africa.”

These are the words of Olympic and World Wrestling Champion, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, and Commissioner for Sports Development in Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG .

Honourable Igali on Thursday stated that the South-South State has not just become Nigeria sports hub, but the benchmark for West African countries.

He explained that with the unwavering support of the Bayelsa State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, an ardent sports lover, the oil-rich state will be the center of sports in Africa in the next five years.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner emphasized that Team Bayelsa athletes outstanding performance at the National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games, is as a result of the state's rich sporting heritage.

Team Bayelsa athletes have made their presence felt across Nigeria's art and cultural capital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, winning 32 gold medals to secure a second spot n the medals table, two short of Delta's 34.

Honourable Igali went on to add that the State is not just making sure that it's perform remarkably but that they so fairly without drugs.

He stressed that to remove this bad act from Nigerian sports, He through the Bayelsa State Government has been staging various seminars, to curb doping in sports.

On the issue of poor facilities in Nigeria assured that it was thing of the past for sports in Bayelsa as the State Government is building a FIFA standard, multi sports complex, which will host international and local football matches.

He further stressed that the stadium which cost a whopping 95 billion naira will also host various sporting activities and will host the National Sports Festival, in the nearest future.

He heaped praises on Governor Douye Diri, emphasizing that the South-South governor is the tower of strength for sports in Nigeria, and is setting the benchmark for sports in West Africa.

He added that without Governor Diri's unfailingly support, the state won't be at the National Sports Festival.

The coastal state stormed the art and cultural capital, Abeokuta, Ogun State, with over 700 athletes in colourful attire.

He added that the Governor also promised that every medalist at the National Sports Festival will be handsomely rewarded, beyond their imagination.

He called on other states to follow the footsteps of the Bayelsa State Governor, as they turn sports in Nigeria for the better.

Chief Igali had some kind words for the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the excellent quality of facilities at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, stating that if Governor Abiodun keeps the pace Ogun State will also be a force to reckon with in Nigerian Sports.

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