‎By David Owei, Bayelsa

‎The organizers of the Niger Delta Sports Festival have announced the commencement for the registration of athletes for the 2nd edition of the games slated for
‎Benin City, the Edo State capital.
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‎Bayelsa State defeated perennial rivals, Delta to emerge champions of the inaugural edition of the festival held at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
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‎This was disclosed by the Director of Operations, Mr. Fred Edoreh in a meeting with states’ liaison secretaries and Directors of Sports of the various participating states.
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‎According to him, registration of the athletes will commence from Thursday 11th December, 2025 through the 10th of January, and states are advised to adhere strictly to the guidelines of the registration for the games.
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‎He noted that the technical support for the registration would be sent to the respective states, pointing out that this year’s fiesta would witness a tremendous improvement over the previous edition in Akwa Ibom State.

David Owei, Yenagoa.

‎The President of the Independent Grassroots Sports Development Association, IGSDA, Chief Miebi Ogunu says he has identified over one hundred athletes in his fifty years of impactful grassroots development in the country.
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‎Chief Ogunu made the declaration at a press briefing held at the NUJ Press Centre, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital as part of activities to mark the celebration of the renowned sports administrator.
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‎He noted that he was joyous to celebrate his fifty years of impactful grassroots sports development in the country starting from old Rivers State to date, that he was one of the few persons across the nation back then in Youths and Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, who went into multi-sports development programmes in the country.
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‎According to him, he played a significant role to discover table tennis stars, John Otukpa, pointing out that himself and the retired athletics coach, Morris Terimo have discovered talents that have represented Bayelsa and the country in different competitions.
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‎While appreciating the SWAN for the partnership over the years, a visibly elated Ogunu outlined the talents he has nurtured, which include Ikechukwu Ezenwa former super eagles goalkeeper, Akpan Bassey, Diseye Nwankwe, Dimie Ineididie, Wisdom Magbisa who is currently plying his trade with Bayelsa United.
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‎Chief Ogunu who is currently a board member in Bayelsa United, opined that he is grateful to the Almighty God that all the players he has nurtured to stardom have become bread winners in their respective families, some with Masters degree, urging sports journalists to imbibe the habit of record keeping.
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‎Chairman of the planning committee, Hon. Uroh Omiekumo Kiani earlier in an address, outlined the plans for the week-long event starting from Monday 8th December, 2025 with an awareness walk from the Ekeki Park to the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa at 6:30am.
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‎He explained that the novelty match will come up on Tuesday 9th December, 2025 at the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS, Ovom by 7:00am while the table tennis event will take place at the Fortress at Oxbow-lake road, track and field event, Teqball and Taekwondo will take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
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Hon Omiekumo Kiani further explained that Thursday 11th December, 2025 will witness the anniversary lecture at the D.S.P Alamieyeseigha memorial banquet hall by 10:00am while the dinner will take place on Friday 12th December at the same venue, describing Ogunu’s contribution to the development of sports as invaluable.
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‎He asserted that the celebrant as a banker used his personal resources in initiating meaningful grassroots sports programmes, that Ogunu did not look at monetary gains rather he invested his resources into the future of young athletes in the country.
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‎Hon Omiekumo Kiani, added that former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly, RT. Hon Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Hon Ebieri Jones and other dignitaries are expected to be at the event.

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.