The Niger Delta Sports Festival commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony, celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage and athletic excellence.
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The event, officially declared open by Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, promises to be a landmark occasion for sports development in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, applauded the efforts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other stakeholders for organizing the festival.
He highlighted its alignment with the RHINSE agenda—Renewed Hope in Nigeria for Sports Economy.
“This is a brilliant effort by the NDDC and all those involved in making this festival a reality,” said Olopade, a two-time Ogun State Commissioner of Sports.
“It perfectly aligns with our RHINSE agenda, which is rooted in the Renewed Hope mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We are truly proud and excited about this event.”
A key highlight of the festival was the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) Initiative. This initiative aims to identify and nurture young talent, with selected athletes set to compete as the 38th state at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Abeokuta.
A significant number of these athletes are already participating in the Niger Delta Sports Festival, underscoring its importance in grassroots sports development.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to using sports as a tool for youth empowerment, just as President Tinubu has envisioned,” Olopade added.
The event attracted several distinguished guests, including the Executive Governors of Akwa Ibom and Ondo States, Umo Eno and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, respectively.
Also in attendance were the Honourable Minister of the Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh, and top stakeholders from the sporting community.
The festival, which runs from April 1 to 8, features approximately 3,000 athletes and 500 officials competing in 17 different sports, solidifying its status as a premier sporting event in Nigeria.
