MN News Hub
April 01, (THEWILL) – Yenagoa Local Government Area has emerged as the winner of the inaugural Bayelsa State Sports Festival tagged “Access Bank Prosperity Unity Games,” after six days of intense contest among the eight LGA in the State.
Yenagoa LGA topped the medals table with 74 medals comprising 34 gold, 22 silver, and 18 bronze; Kolokuma/Opokuma finished second amassing 92 medals – 30 gold, 29 silver, and 33 bronze; while Nembe LGA came third with 81 medals – 25 gold, 25 silver, 31 bronze.
Southern Ijaw came fourth despite winning gold in the women’s football event with 78 medals, which comprises 22 gold, 29 silver, and 27 bronze; while Ekeremor garnered 66 medals – 21 gold, 21 gold, and 24 to finish 5th. Brass LGA had 63 medals, with 17 gold, 15 silver and 31 bronze despite having won the canoeing event.
Sagbama LGA got 48 medals to come out 7th with 9 gold, silver, and 24 bronze; Ogbia LGA finished bottom of the log with less impressive performances in all the sports, amassing 44 medals – 7 gold, 9 silver and 28 bronze.
Declaring the festival closed, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali, congratulated all the eight LGA and athletes, who took part in the inaugural sports festival, stressing that sports have unified the youths of Bayelsa in the last six days of the event.
While appreciating the Governor and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for the huge investment in sports development in the State, Igali promised improved competition in 2024, as well as an increase in the number of sports.
He thanked Access Bank Plc for sponsoring the inaugural sports festival, stating that athletes, who did well in the competition, would be groomed to represent the State in the future.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Dr Herbert Wigwe, represented by the bank’s Relationship Manager, Mr Kakiri Miebi-Flint, asserted that he was impressed with the success recorded in the maiden edition of the sports festival, saying that it has given the athletes a veritable platform to showcase their talents.
Co-chairman of the Prosperity Unity Games and Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi, noted that the aim of the competition has been achieved with new talents being discovered in different sports, describing the fiesta as unique.
Sir Wodi opined that hosting the State sports festival has shown what it intends to achieve in the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, urging other corporate organisations to get involved in the development of sports.
He commended the Bayelsa Government, Access Bank Plc and the athletes for the show of dexterity throughout the competition.
A cash reward of N1.5 million naira was given to the winner of the festival, while N1 million naira went to the second-place winner, and the sum of N500,000 was given to the third-place winner.
Source: TheWillNigeria | Read More