On Wednesday, athletes from Bayelsa State departed Yenagoa for Benin City, Edo State, to participate in the zonal elimination round of the 8th National Youth Games.
The event, which will take place in Asaba, Delta State, marks a significant milestone in the state’s sporting calendar.
Led by the Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, the Bayelsa contingent arrived in Benin with a formidable group of 242 individuals, including athletes, coaches, and officials. The team is set to compete in eight different sports: football, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, hockey, basketball, abula, and rugby.
The elimination rounds for these team sports will run from August 28th to September 1st, 2024. The games themselves are scheduled to kick off next month in Asaba, Delta State.
Sir Braveman Wodi, speaking on the team’s objectives, emphasized that Bayelsa is fully prepared for the zonal elimination. “Our target is to qualify in all sports. We have carefully selected our strongest athletes and coaches to ensure we perform at our best,” he stated.
Wodi highlighted that while the team will not compete in cricket, they have opted to focus on the male categories in handball and rugby, citing the team’s strength in these areas. He also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to excel, noting Bayelsa’s impressive second-place finish in the National Sports Festival as a strong indicator of their potential.
“The South-South region has always been the home of sports in Nigeria, and we are ready to uphold that legacy,” Wodi remarked.
He also extended his gratitude to Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for their unwavering support in sports development, as well as to the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, for his efforts in realizing the governor’s vision for sports in the state.
