Sports
Festival Torch for Niger Delta Games Berths In Yenagoa as Governor Diri Praises Organisers for Initiative
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Festival Torch for the 2nd Niger Delta Games has been lit in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Receiving the Torch at the ceremony which took place at the Samson Siasia Complex, Governor Douye Diri commended the organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Sport, Daniel Igali said the fiesta which is the first regional Sports Festival in the country had placed the Niger Delta region as the leader in Sport Development.
“Let me thank the organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games.
With this initiative, they have placed the Niger Delta States ahead of every other region in the country. So, we commend them for this and we hope that they would even put up a bigger and better tournament this time” he stated.
He expressed optimism that Team Bayelsa would excel at the Niger Delta Games in Benin City and top the overall medals table just as they did in the inaugural edition in Uyo last year, promising to provide the necessary support for the athletes to do the State proud.
The Chairman/CEO of the project consultants for the Niger Delta Games, Dunamis Icon Limited, Chief Itiako Ikpokpo represented by the Secretary of the Liaison Committee for Bayelsa State, Mr. Loveday Herbert said the lighting of the Festival Torch was a critical aspect of the fiesta.
“The Lighting of the Festival Torch represents unity of all the States in the Niger Delta region. The goal of every sporting event is to unify participating States, athletes and officials. It is used to foster a spirit of friendship and compete in a fair competitive environment” he explained.
While commending the Bayelsa State government for receiving the festival torch, he gave an assurance that the best of facilities and organization had been put in place to ensure a successful Sports Festival.
The ceremony was attended by the Director of the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Mr. Andrew Aye, and other top management officials of the Sports Council, the Technical Adviser on Sports, Mr. Alaowei Opukeme, the Director, New Media of the Bayelsa State government and Chairman of the State Athletics Association, Dr. Kola Oredipe, coaches, athletes among others.
The 2nd edition of Niger Delta Games will formally open on Friday, February 20, while the Closing ceremony takes place on Thursday, February 26.
Sports
Gov Diri Expresses Confidence On Bayelsa United Interim Board. …Say Bayelsa Is Ready to Host 2028 National Sports Festival
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri says he is confident that the newly-constituted interim board of Bayelsa United will deliver on its assignment.
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, last week Thursday during the weekly Prosperity Walk, announced an interim board comprising experienced sports administrators and headed by Dr. Peter Singabele, to oversee the affairs of the club for the next six months.
Governor Diri gave the assurance at the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
He noted that with the calibre of personalities on the board, he was confident that the board would deliver on the assignment, pointing out that the board is filled with experienced personalities with proven track records.
According to the state helmsman, he was impressed with the board’s vigour to immediately embark on the appointment of a new technical adviser for the team, urging them not to rest on their oars until they achieved their objectives.
He asserted that the government would not interfere with the selection of players that the selection of players would be decided by the coaches and not by the board so that the coaches can be held culpable when they fall short of the set target.
”I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the Bayelsa United Interim Board that we have put together headed by Dr Peter Singabele, I am aware that they have hit the ground running with the process of appointing a new coach for the team. I want to charge them to run with speed to ensure that new coaches are recruited with players sorted out” Gov Diri stated.
”Players must be sorted out by the coaches, no interference by the board, no interference by the government, no one should interfere with the coaches, let the coaches bring out the best of players so that if anything goes wrong we will hold them responsible”, he maintained.
The governor hinted that his administration remains committed to hosting the National Sports Festival in Bayelsa in 2028, maintaining that his administration is poised to complete the ongoing construction work of the 30,000-seater stadium in Igbogene, 5,000-seater stadium in Sampou in Kolokuma Opukuma Local Government Area and other facilities in the State.
He assured Bayelsans that the stadium would be completed at the stipulated time to host the National Sports Festival, stressing that sports remain one of his administration’s goal to positively engage the youths.
Sports
Bayelsa State Government Sets Up Interim Board For Bayelsa United
By David Owei
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
Sports
Bayelsa State Government Sets Up Interim Board For Bayelsa United
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has set-up a five-man interim committee to oversee the affairs of Bayelsa United FC for the next six months.
Governor Douye Diri, two weeks ago, during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, dissolved the board of Bayelsa United after the relegation of the team at the end of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.
The appointment of the board was announced by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
Dr Akpe noted that the immediate task of the interim committee is to bring Bayelsa United back to the NPFL in the next six months, stating that Bayelsa United cannot afford to remain in the lower division for a long time.
According to him, the committee comprises an experienced football administrator, Dr. Peter Singabele; former Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi; Director General, Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe; Godson Ekarde while Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu will serve as Secretary.
”The task is to bring Bayelsa United out of relegation back into the Premiership level which is the right position for the club. Dr Peter Singabele, Braveman Wodi, Godson Ekarde, Ono Akpe and Ken Ekpolaemi Odogu have six months to return the team to the top division.” Akpe said.
The Deputy Governor equally appealed for all stakeholders in the state to join hands with the interim board and give every necessary support to ensure the dream of returning the Bayelsa State Government-owned team is realised.
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