Sports
NDSF: Rivers Seek to dominate in Weightlifting, Swimming, Boxing, and Para-Lifting
Rivers State continued the final state trials for weightlifters, swimmers, boxers and para-lifters as the athletes battled for places in Team Rivers contingent for the forthcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The games will be held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8.
The Boxing and Weightlifting Arena on Niger Street in Old Port Harcourt Township came alive as athletes showed their skills and willingness to be part of the festival train.
The state technical coordinators believe they have identified some promising athletes with high potential for successful careers in their chosen fields.
Coach Aduche Ojadi, the state’s weightlifting coach, said the athletes have been training intensively for some time and the trials was expected have been a true test of their strength and endurance.
“The Niger Delta Sports Festival is indeed a fantastic initiative, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially launch their careers. The fact that the trials are already yielding promising new athletes is a testament to the festival’s importance,” Coach Aduche said.
“The festival is a great way to identify and nurture young talents, and the NDDC’s support is crucial in making this happen. By providing opportunities for young athletes to compete and develop their skills, the NDDC is not only promoting sports development but also contributing to the overall well-being of the region and country,” Coach Aduche concluded.
Gift Otuonye, the state’s boxing coach, believes that the trials provided her with the opportunity to see and assess boxers she had not known before. She said that she has assembled champions that would be able to replicate the golden era of the sport for the state.
According to her, “The boxers are all good and we are hopeful. I think that with the opportunities being provided by this Niger Delta Sports Festival, many athletes, especially boxers, will want to take advantage, come out of the creeks and embrace sports. It is time to relaunch boxing to enviable heights in the state and region “.
The state trials will be concluded on Tuesday at different centers with Basketball, Football, Wrestling , Handball , Table tennis and Athletics taking the center stage.
Sports
Ondo State Governor Aiyedatiwa receives NDSF Torch, lauds NDDC
Joel Ajayi
The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch on Tuesday, made a stopover in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Receiving the torch at a colourful ceremony held at the Ondo state sports complex in Akure, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reiterated his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development and youth engagement.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, said the state has done everything necessary to ensure sports development takes the front burner in the ‘OUR EASE’ agenda of his administration.
“I must emphasize that we hold sporting activities very dear to our hearts in Ondo state. Our participation and performances in the various categories of sports festivals is a manifestation of our commitment to sports development.
“Ondo state is known for grassroots sports development, which is actually in sync with the concept of the Niger Delta Sports Festival. We have contributed immensely to the national pool of talents that are representing Nigeria at international competitions all over the world” the governor emphasized.
He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for funding the festival which is in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu with regards to youth empowerment, saying “the state government will continue to accord sports the optimum recognition and encouragement it deserves”.
In his short remarks, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, who was represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, said the festival will be an avenue to discover, and groom local talents, who will represent Nigeria at international competitions.
Chairman of the Ondo state liaison committee, Tolulope Adeyemi, revealed that the state will be represented by a contingent of 320 athletes and 60 dedicated coaches, who will be competing in 17 accredited sporting events at the games.
The maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival will take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, from the 1st to the 8th of April, 2025.
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