Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has expressed strong support for the upcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival, set to take place in April 2025.
He also endorsed the nine ambassadors selected to represent the event.
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Elegbeleye, an administrator from Ondo State, commended the organizers for choosing decorated athletes such as former Olympic gold medalists Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke, Kanu Nwankwo, and Enefiok Udo-Obong as festival ambassadors, highlighting their impact on Nigeria’s sporting history.
“The selection of these icons, who have brought glory to Nigeria on international stages like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, is a testament to the credibility of the festival,” he said.
He recalled the pivotal roles played by Kanu, Ikpeba, and Amuneke in securing Nigeria’s historic 1996 Olympic football gold medal, as well as Udo-Obong’s incredible anchor leg that earned Nigeria a gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Gbenga Elegbeleye also praised wrestler Blessing Oborodudu, who won a silver medal at the Olympics, and sprinter Seun Ogunkoya, whose 100m record from the 1998 African Athletics Championships remains unbeaten.
Additionally, he recognized Paralympic powerlifter Patience Igbiti, who won medals at both the 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games before becoming a renowned coach.
The NPFL boss emphasized the deserving inclusion of former World Youth Athletics record holder Tamunosiki Atorubido and ex-Super Falcons midfielder Efioanwan Ekpo among the ambassadors.
Elegbeleye encouraged the festival organizers to continue honoring other outstanding athletes from the Niger Delta region who have demonstrated resilience and excellence in their careers.
 Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has expressed strong support for the upcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival,){kind=link}