NSC Approves Bayelsa State’s Bid to Host 2028 National Sports Festival …We are very prepared to host – Governor Douye Diri By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye



The National Sports Commission (NSC) has officially approved Bayelsa State’s bid to host the 2028 edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF).

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the NSC Director-General, Chief Bukola Olopade, during a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa.

Olopade, who led a high-powered delegation, included notable figures such as Chief Solomon Ogba, Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and former Athletics Federation of Nigeria President; Olympian and former Nigerian long jump record holder, Yusuf Alli; Director of National Sports Festival, Mrs. Oparah Thecla; and Sports Medicine Consultant, Dr. Oyudo Paul.

The delegation inspected sporting and security facilities before confirming Bayelsa as host. According to Olopade, the state’s infrastructure stood out as “more ready today than some of the next immediate hosts.”

“The facilities on ground are amazing. From security to medical infrastructure, wrestling gyms, table tennis halls and the ongoing ultramodern stadium project—Bayelsa is even more prepared than expected,” Olopade said.

He further described Bayelsa as peaceful, hospitable, and a “sleeping giant in sports” with the potential to stage one of the best editions of the NSF.



Governor Diri: “We are ready”

In his response, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, reaffirmed the state’s readiness, citing massive investments in sports and security.

He highlighted the construction of a 25,000-capacity stadium—expandable to 35,000—where the government has already paid 30 percent of the contract sum, with work ongoing round-the-clock.

“We are very prepared to host the National Sports Festival. The only issue we had was facilities, but we are addressing it. With our investments in security, including 24-hour CCTV surveillance, Bayelsa today is peaceful and safe,” the Governor assured.

Diri also emphasized grassroots sports development under his administration’s “Prosperity Agenda,” pointing to initiatives like the Governor’s Prosperity Cup in football, state-backed wrestling programs, and a world-class table tennis facility.

“Bayelsa is not a small state in sports. We are competing with any state in terms of talent and investment. Our focus is on engaging the youths positively through sports, and hosting the NSF will be another milestone in our sporting history,” Diri added.

The 2028 NSF is expected to further cement Bayelsa’s rising profile as a hub for sports excellence in Nigeria.

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