By David Owei, Bayelsa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, turned the sod of the new Olympic-standard 25,000-capacity Bayelsa stadium project at Igbogene, Yenagoa.

The former Nigerian leader performed the groundbreaking ceremony on a day the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, restated his appeal to the federal government, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), oil firms operating in the state and the private sector to join hands with his administration to develop sporting talents.

The Federal Government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) equally thumped up Governor Diri for initiating the project.

Dr. Jonathan expressed delight over the project, saying as a Bayelsan, he was duty bound to celebrate with the state government for the progress so far achieved.

He lauded Diri’s developmental strides, urging him not to rest on his laurels and that the contractor and the state government should ensure the project met the highest standards.

Jonathan also called on the state and federal governments to set up a sports fund to cater for sportsmen after their active days and encourage younger ones to be involved in sports.

He said: “This is my state and I have to celebrate with the government for the progress so far made. This is an iconic project that will develop the state. Please do not rest on your laurels as we want this stadium to meet the best standards.

“I am happy with the presence of relevant federal government officials. I hope they will guide the state well and support where necessary.

“As a country, we must have a fund to care for sportsmen. The federal and state government can think about it so that the younger generation will be interested in sports.

“I am happy that you gave a target of 24 months and I hope that by that time I will escort President Tinubu to Bayelsa to inaugurate it.”

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri said the groundbreaking ceremony embodied a transformative advancement for the state with the potential to reshape the identity and aspirations of Bayelsa in the realm of sports and beyond.

He said the project was in line with the Assured Prosperity mantra of his administration, which prioritises urbanisation, sports, and youth development as the cornerstones of development.

Diri noted that boyind the value the project would add to the sports sector, the stadium will also generate economic opportunities, provide jobs and stimulate local businesses.

The state’s helmsman said while the government recognised the cost implication of the project, it was determined to make it a reality and urged young people in the state to seize the opportunity and strive for excellence, aiming for new heights.

He called on oil multinationals operating in the state as well as other government and private agencies to support the project in line with global practice where big business brands support sports.

He said: “This facility will serve as an inspiration for our youth – a place where dreams can take flight, talent can be cultivated, and champions can arise.

“The construction of this ultra-modern stadium aligns seamlessly with our broader agenda, not just for sports, but for the comprehensive development of our urban landscape.

“Globally, the practice of major brands sponsoring sports and stadiums has become a widespread phenomenon since the late 1990s. Notable examples include Emirates’ sponsorship of Arsenal Football Club’s stadium, Etihad Airways’ partnership with Manchester City Football Club, and Vodafone’s sponsorship of the McLaren Formula 1 team. Similarly, in the United States, companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Bank of America have sponsored various sports stadiums and events.

“Our situation should not be different. I strongly urge our federal intervention agencies such as the NDDC and multinational companies, particularly those in the banking, telecommunications, and oil sectors, to emulate this trend and explore opportunities for sponsoring sports and this project. Stand with our youth. In doing so, they will promote their brands while contributing to the development of our sports infrastructure. This will ensure that the Assured Prosperity of Bayelsa State remains on track.”

In a goodwill message, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, said the Federal Government endorsed the project, saying it is in line with the ideals of the government at the centre.

He remrked that it is visionary and bold to embark on the project, which he said had the capacity to impact on the economy of the state and pledged the support of the Commission to make the project a reality.

Also, the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, and his predecessor, Amaju Pinnick, both described Diri as a man of his words and pledged support for the project, which they say will benefit not only Bayelsa but Nigeria at large.

In a welcome address, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, said the stadium had the capacity to make the state a dominant force in sports, saying for almost three decades, the Samson Siasia Sports Complex had served the state but that it was no longer adequate.

He said sportsmen and women have been making the state proud, stressing that when completed the stadium would create more sports champions and drive economic activities.