By David Owei, Yenagoa.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Bayelsa State, Honourable Daniel Igali, has stated in clear terms the readiness of Bayelsa State to host the nation as 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Championship is set to take the centre stage

The Bayelsa State Government, in collaboration with the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, will engage the nation’s brimming wrestlers in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital in a national battle on the mat slated for December 12th to 20th, 2025.

Speaking in a world press conference in Yenagoa on Tuesday, Honourable Igali opined that Bayelsa will host one of the most glamorous championships it has ever had, attributing the statement to the passionate and sporting drive of Governor Douye Diri.

He noted that Governor Diri has consistently sponsored initiatives of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, thus his confidence of a better championship this year.

“In every year from 2009 the state has hosted this competition and under His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, this happens to be the 4th edition and we are hoping this would be probably one of the better organised competitions we’ve ever had.” Igali said.

The member of the World Wrestling Governing body (UWW) highlighted new changes and additions to this year’s edition.

“This year we’ve added three more weight categories to what used to be twelve weight categories in each style, totalling fifteen in women’s wrestling, fifteen in Greco-Roman and fifteen in men’s freestyle while in the u15 there are five new weight categories.

“This is because we believe we need to invest a lot more in our younger athletes who are the future of Nigeria wrestling.” He noted.

Also, Daniel Igali confirmed that for the first time, the championship will feature traditional wrestling now called beach wrestling, which will see four weight classes in men and women battle for supremacy.

The Honourable commissioner said the wrestling championship will take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium while Beach Wrestling will be held at Bayelsa Medical University grounds, Imgbi Road, Amarata all located in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.

Meanwhile, the 4th Governor Douye Diri National Wrestling Championship will see delegates arrive on 12th December with hostility beginning 14th December 2025.

By George Mgbeleke

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, has described the Keffi Polo tournament as a force for national unity.

He made the remarks while speaking with journalists at the closing of the 10th Anniversary of the Keffi Polo Tournament held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sen. Ahmed Wadada (APC-Nasarawa) is the founder of the Keffi Polo Ranch and the organiser of the tournament.

Barau said that the polo would further develop Nigeria’s sporting potentials and unite Nigerians.

He said: “The game is something that is bringing us together. When you look around, you’ll find a lot of people from all parts of this country, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and others.

“It is bringing us together. So it’s always a unifying factor that will further strengthen our unity. So i mean it’s something that is good. It also helps to develop our sporting potential which is very good. So it has a lot of advantages,” he said.

Barau, who has been a regular attendee to the tournament, said “I’ve been coming around. I had attended the last four tournaments held. And here we are. And I can see that this year is more organised and very well structured.

“So I give kudos to Sen. Wadada for organising this tournament every year. It’s an event that is helping. The other time I think it was organised in order to raise funds for our kids.

“So much money was gotten. It went a long way to help to develop those indigent children who don’t have much opportunity to go to school.

“He should be encouraged to continue to organise the tournament every year.

“We are ready to support you. We will support you; we will give our financial support and whatever support that you need,” Barau said.

For his part, Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said that the tournament is “now a brand in Nigeria”.

“What is important is to keep encouraging the youth to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

“And also to commend people like Wadada who had spent their personal fortune in bringing about this tournament”.

Ningi while noting that the tournament drew people from various tribes and divides said that sport was indeed a unifying factor.

“We must keep encouraging ourselves. Our differences are very minute against those things that divide us. What I keep telling people and the media is, we must keep bringing out the positive aspects of this country”.

Speaking on sports development in Nigeria, Ningi applauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration saying “he has good intentions”.

“I’m looking at the 2024 Budget provisions, 2025 Budget provisions, if actually utilised, I am sure it will turn around sport development in this country.

“All we can do is to keep encouraging the President. We will also see that whatever approvals coming from the National Assembly, are bringing out the best of sports in Nigeria,” he said.

The founder of the Keffi Polo Ranch, Sen. Wadada who was elated said that the 10th anniversary of the tournament was a milestone.

“I feel highly elated; I feel highly fulfilled and of course, I feel highly challenged for whatever reasons that have brought this army of personalities, VIPs to be here.

“The challenge is, I should do much more of what I had done before so that I have more VIPs the next time,” he said.

Wadada said that though the game of polo when it started in the country wasn’t common but now it is common.

“This is one of the reasons why I established Keffi Polo Ranch so that I bring civilisation to my people and then, of course, leverage on it to open up my state to the rest of the world.

“As you see, the world comes here. People come from the UK, people come from South America, Argentina, people come from Dubai, and within the country, we have everybody including Captains of industries, politicians, royal fathers, all across the country,” he said.

The lawmaker commended the Nasarawa State Government on its continuous support for the tournament.

“The Nasarawa State Government, as far as Keffi Polo Ranch is concerned, I cannot thank the Nasarawa State Government enough. It has been all along for the 10 years that we’ve been here.

“The government has been very, very supportive particularly all our tournaments in support of education.

“This is because the governor and his administration has been committed to making the education environment much better in the state,” Wadada said.

Highlight of the event was the unveiling of a newly constructed pavilion named after the late George Coumantaros, founder of Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), in recognition of the company’s long-standing support for Keffi Polo.

Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Emmanuel Akabe and royal fathers withing and outside the state.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Local Organizing Committee for the 2025 Bayelsa State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Week has released a detailed lineup of activities designed to celebrate sports journalism and foster community engagement.

According to a statement from committee chairman Loveday Herbert, the week kicks off on Monday, December 1, with a invigorating road walk starting at Ekeki Junction and ending at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex. Participants will then enjoy a comprehensive workout and aerobic session to energize the festivities.

The action continues on Tuesday, December 2, with the launch of the Clinton Thompson Football Competition, pitting teams from various registered media houses against each other in friendly matches.

Midweek highlights include Wednesday, December 3, when table tennis tournaments get underway at the Coastal Fortress in Ox Bow Lake. Simultaneously, draughts and other indoor games will take place at the NUJ Press Centre, starting at 2 p.m.

On Friday, December 5, aspiring and seasoned sports journalists—particularly students from local tertiary institutions interested in sports reporting—can attend a lecture and symposium on cutting-edge trends and techniques in sports journalism. The event is set for 11 a.m. at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center.

The weekend brings high-energy closures: Saturday, December 6, features the football competition finals, followed by a gala dinner at the Ernest Ikoli Press Center. During the evening, standout athletes, coaches, and sports administrators will be recognized for their achievements throughout the year.

The week-long celebration wraps up on Sunday, December 7, with a special Thanksgiving Service.

The committee encourages all members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists to participate actively and join the Bayelsa SWAN community in making this year’s event an unforgettable success.