OLAPADE BACKS BAYELSA TO HOST 2028 NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olapade, has expressed confidence in Bayelsa State’s capacity to host the 2028 National Sports Festival (NSF).
Olapade made the remark on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa, where he led a delegation of top sports administrators, including Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and former AFN President, Solomon Ogba; Olympian Yusuf Alli; Director, National Sports Festival, Mrs. Oparah Thecla; and Sports Medicine Consultant, Dr. Oyudo Paul.
He said the delegation was in Bayelsa to inspect sporting and security infrastructure, medical facilities, wrestling gyms, table tennis halls, and the 25,000-capacity stadium currently under construction.
Olapade commended the state’s peaceful atmosphere and hospitality, noting that Bayelsa’s bid for the festival was outstanding.
“Bayelsa State presented an amazing bid for the 2028 sports festival. Yenagoa is peaceful and beautiful, and the facilities on ground are impressive. Bayelsa is even ready to host the event today,” he said.
Responding, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the state was well-prepared to host the festival, citing huge investments in sports infrastructure and security. He noted that a 25,000-capacity stadium, expandable to 35,000, was under construction, with 30 per cent of the project already paid for to ensure completion in 2027.
Diri added that his administration had installed CCTV cameras across the state to boost security and had invested heavily in grassroots sports development through initiatives such as the Governor’s Prosperity Cup, wrestling competitions, and a new world-class table tennis facility.
“Bayelsa is not a small state in sports. We are prepared to compete with any state. Our investment in sports is part of our Prosperity Agenda to engage youths positively. We are confident Bayelsa will be announced as host of the 2028 National Sports Festival,” the governor declared.
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