Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Honourable Daniel Igali, has declared that the state is ready to disrupt the status quo at the Gateway Games 2024, the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival.
Speaking to Prime Sports Radio and The Athletic NG on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Igali revealed Bayelsa’s determined approach to the competition, emphasising that they are not just here to participate, but to challenge Nigeria’s traditional sporting powerhouses.
“We are here with a business mindset, ready to make a statement,” said Igali. “Our goal is to offer stiff competition to the top dogs like Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Lagos, and take our place among the best.”
Bayelsa’s performance in recent years reflects its rapid rise in Nigerian sports. From a fourth-place finish in 2006, when Governor Douye Diri was Commissioner for Sports Development, the state steadily climbed to third place in 2021, and then to an outstanding second-place finish in 2022, with a record-breaking 109 gold medals.
This upward trajectory shows that Bayelsa is not merely competing but challenging for dominance.
In his interview, Igali attributed Bayelsa’s rise to strong leadership and focused investment in sports development. He highlighted that under Governor Douye Diri’s leadership, the state has built a system that rewards excellence and supports athletes at every stage of their journey.
“My Governor understands what the business of sports is all about,” Igali explained. “As a former Commissioner for Sports, he knows how important it is to reward high achievement. We believe that if our athletes perform well, they will be rewarded. This motivates them to give their best.”
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Bayelsa’s ambitions for the Gateway Games 2025 are clear. Igali reaffirmed the state’s determination to challenge the long-standing dominance of Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Lagos, and take its rightful place among Nigeria’s sporting elites.
“We are not here just to participate. We are here to win, and we are confident that with the hard work we have put in, we can challenge for the top spot,” he said.
The state’s impressive results at events like the MTN/Making of Champions (MOC) Champs Season 3 further highlight Bayelsa’s growing sporting prowess. In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Team Bayelsa secured 5 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals, a testament to their preparation and skill.
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At the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, Bayelsa emerged as overall champions, collecting 86 medals, including 42 golds, 29 silvers, and 15 bronzes, surpassing traditional powerhouses Delta and Edo.
