Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has handsomely rewarded athletes and officials who represented the state at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while contesting the final medals table that placed Bayelsa in third position.
Receiving the contingent at the Executive Council Chambers in Yenagoa, Governor Diri announced cash rewards of up to ₦1 million for individual gold medalists and team members, with corresponding rewards for silver and bronze medal winners, officials, and support staff. The financial package also extends to the Local Organizing Committee and essential personnel who contributed to the state’s outing.
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Despite Bayelsa being officially ranked third, Governor Diri strongly insisted the team deserved second place, citing discrepancies observed at the closing stages of the festival. He expressed suspicion over “unconventional practices” that allegedly skewed the final standings in favour of host state, Ogun.
“Before I left Abeokuta, I noticed some irregularities. In truth, Team Bayelsa finished second — our main competition was Delta, not Ogun,” the governor stated.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to hosting the 2028 edition of the National Sports Festival, with a 25,000-capacity stadium under construction in Igbogene, Yenagoa.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, echoed the governor’s concerns over the final standings, saying they did not reflect Bayelsa’s true performance.
Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, praised the governor’s support, calling the gesture a strong signal of his unwavering passion for youth development through sports.
With the state already eyeing a stronger showing in 2028, Bayelsa’s athletes now have renewed motivation — and millions of naira in their bank accounts — to continue their rise as a sporting force in Nigeria.
