The Niger Delta Sports Festival kicked off in grand style with a vibrant opening ceremony showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage and athletic prowess.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), officially declared the festival open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Delivering a keynote address, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, acknowledged the presence of Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, who represented the President at the event. He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and all stakeholders involved in organizing the festival, emphasizing 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,” the two-time Ogun state Commissioner of Sports stated. “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 major highlight of the festival was the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) Initiative. The initiative, designed to identify and nurture young talent, will see promising athletes from across the country competing as the 38th state at the upcoming National Sports Festival in Abeokuta. Notably, a healthy percentage of the athletes selected for the IJA initiative are participating in the Niger Delta Sports Festival, underscoring its role 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 was graced by several distinguished guests, including the Executive Governors of Akwa Ibom and Ondo states, Umo Eno and Lucky Aiyedatiwa respectively. The dignitaries included the Honourable Minister of the Niger Delta, Abubakar Momoh and top stakeholders from the sporting fraternity.
The festival, which runs from April 1 to 8, features about 3,000 athletes and 500 officials competing in 17 sports.
