Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has applauded the state’s athletes to the just-concluded maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) for their first place finish.
Bayelsa topped the medals’ table by winning 42 gold, 29 silver and 15 bronze ahead of Delta State that got 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals to come second.
The week-long festival, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states was sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Diri, who gave the commendation on Wednesday at the 159th session of the state Executive Council at Government House, Yenagoa, said the feat achieved by the state’s team demonstrated good team work, perseverance and good.
The governor stressed that the laurels won by the team has justified that his administration’s decision to construct a stadium was not misplaced, as it would be useful in grooming more talents to bring honour to Bayelsa.
Diri said: “Team work, individuals at their best, good management and perseverance paid off. I hope and believe that this will be the turning point for Bayelsa.
“On behalf of your government, I thank you all for your efforts in ensuring that Bayelsa was always at the top in sports development.
“You have given us the reason the new stadium must be completed. We believe that we have an abundance of talents and skills in every area of sports and we need to bring up those talents by providing facilities.
“We have not misplaced priority in our thinking to start the FIFA-rated stadium project. We believe that you will continue to do more to bring more laurels to our state,” he said.