Over one thousand athletes will jostle for glory in the maiden edition of the Bayelsa State Sports Festival tagged Access Bank prosperity games from 25th of March to 1st April, 2023.
Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali gave the hint at a press conference held in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.
Dr Igali said hosting the fiesta became necessary due to the exploits and the global attention Bayelsa has received in the last three years, saying that positive publicity sports has rendered to Bayelsa State government was as a result of the governor’s foresight in sports development.
He explained that one thousand one hundred and forty four athletes comprising 592 females, 552 males would participate in the one week event in fourteen different sports at various local government areas of the state.
The commissioner noted that athletes would arrive on the 25th of March with the opening ceremony coming up the next day while the showpiece will officially kick off on the 27th to the 30th of March as the fiesta round up on 1st of April.
The Olympian noted that the Access Bank prosperity games would feature fourteen sports which includes, athletics, boxing, canoeing, Judo, Football, Chess, Karate, table tennis, draught, swimming taekwondo, scrabble,para swimming, wrestling and weightlifting
While appreciating Access Bank for sponsoring the event, he said the financial institution have shown what was expected of corporate organizations in Bayelsa State describing the gesture as laudable.
He thanked the Governor and his deputy senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for the premium attention it has rendered to sports development in Bayelsa State.
Also, Co-chairman of the Access Bank prosperity games and Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, asserted that the move to host the state Sports Festival became imperative due to the charge of the governor to the ministry to collaborate with the private sector.
Sir Wodi, noted that the festival would be basically on local athletes who are yet to participate in the National Sports Festival, pointing out that the target of the showpiece is to catch young Bayelsans who will represent the State and the country at the global stage.
The Odi born sports administrator pointed out that they are desirous in hosting a befitting fiesta and as well discover hidden talents across the State.
Relationship Manager Access Bank, Mr. Kakiri Miebi- Flint,said the event would improve the lives of the youths in the state and also bring out raw talents from the various local government and communities, saying that their services are beyond mere banking.
Mr. Miebi- Flint said they are pleased to collaborate with the Bayelsa State government as part of its corporate social responsibility to the people of the state, which according to him would continue.
