Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri Vows State Will Be Ready To Host 2028 National Sports Festival

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to host the 2028 National Sports Festival, pledging that all required facilities and infrastructure will be completed in time for the event.

Diri gave the assurance on Tuesday at Government House, Yenagoa, while receiving the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and his inspection team.

The governor noted that while inadequate facilities had previously hindered Bayelsa from hosting the multi-sport event, his government has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, including the ongoing construction of a 25,000-capacity ultramodern stadium that can be expanded to 35,000.

“We are very prepared to host the National Sports Festival. The only issue we had was the facility, but we are addressing it. The stadium is a 25,000-capacity stadium and is expandable to 35,000. We have paid the contractor 30 per cent, and he is working day and night and has assured us,” Diri said.

The NSC team inspected key facilities, including wrestling gyms, table tennis halls, medical centres, security infrastructure, and the new stadium project. After the tour, Olopade described Bayelsa’s bid as one of the most impressive in recent years.

“Bayelsa State presented an amazing bid for the 2028 sports festival. I was happy to know that there is an intentional desire by Bayelsa to host the sports festival. Bayelsa is a sleeping giant in sports. The facilities on the ground are amazing. Bayelsa is even ready to host the event today more than the next host,” Olopade said.

Diri further highlighted the state’s security investments, including installing CCTV cameras across Yenagoa, which he said have significantly reduced crime.

“Today is historic in the sporting history of Bayelsa State. We have been participating in national sports festivals. As a former Commissioner for Sports, I am happy that we have made a bid acceptable to the NSC. Our state is peaceful, and we are a very hospitable people. We love visitors,” he added.

Bayelsa’s Commissioner for Sports Development, Daniel Igali, praised the governor’s commitment to sports and commended the NSC delegation for its professionalism during the inspection exercise.