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… Says 2024 Prosperous Year for Team Bayelsa
By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The euphoria that greeted the resounding performance of Team Bayelsa, in the 2nd edition of the National Para Games, is yet to settle down, and it will be so, for a long time to come at least if for nothing, but for the fact that the people of the state have displayed the culture of not forgetting to celebrate the exploits of their sporting stars of yester years.
This is especially so for those in the field of wresting, hence, why the national back to back Para champions, will continue to be respected in Bayelsa State, nay even in Nigeria.
Governor Senator Douye Diri buttressed this fact, while formally receiving the victorious athletes, on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Sampson Siasia Stadium, during the weekly Prosperity walk.
The para-games, was a week-long celebration of talents, resilience and sportsmanship leaving an indefinite mark on the landscape of para-sports in Nigeria.
The games commenced on December 8 and ended December 14, 2023, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Bayelsa State contingent emerged as the champions of the games, wining 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals, Abia, Kano, Lagos, and Oyo states, completed the top five in that order.
Speaking to newsmen on the remarkable feat of Team Bayelsa in the competition on Thursday December 21, 2023, in his office, Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, attributed the feat to Almighty God’s favour, that has positively affected the prosperity government led by Senator Douye Diri and his able deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to the sporting sector in the state.
According to the amiable, friendly, calculative, humane and astute director, the governor and his deputy, are always ready to release the needed funds to Team Bayelsa, to participate, in any sporting engagements as at when due and when the need arises.
He equally stated that, the special reception, the government of the day, has been giving to the Bayelsa State contingent, after every major competition, has been a major and great motivational tool, to spur the team to success in every outing.
The director, who was hopeful for the commencement of a new stadium, to match the status of Bayelsa State as a core and frontline sporting one in Nigeria, stated that he believes the State government would expedite action, on that regard, from the year 2024.
Wodi, reiterated the fact that, the Bayelsa State contingent, emerged 3rd and 2nd, in the 20th and 21st editions of the Ntaional Sports festivals, in Benin, Edo State and Asaba, in Delta State, respectively, stressing that, Team Bayelsa, God willing, will be going for the first position in the competition, slated for Abeokuta, in Ogun State, come November, 2024.
The Bayelsa State director of Sports, also lauded the efforts of the commissioner for youth and Sports Development, Champion Baraladei Daniel Igali, stating that his prowess and output in sports participation and expertise administrative management, is second to none, and is on the public domain for all to see, adding that, Igali, coaching staff, organizing secretaries, administrative staff, technical members were all part and parcel of the Team Bayelsa success story.