By: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
