From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Honourable Daniel Igali, has praised Team Bayelsa for their exceptional triumph at the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Bayelsa athletes emerged overall champions, finishing ahead of Delta and Edo States.

In a statement personally signed on behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State,Sen.

Douye Diri, Igali lauded the team’s fierce determination and excellence, which led to an impressive haul of 86 medals, 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze.

“Our athletes ran, swam, wrestled, paddled, and fought their way into history,” Igali declared.

“From the thunder on the tracks to the brilliance on the mats and in the water, Bayelsa’s sons and daughters showcased the new, unstoppable spirit of our state, proud, prepared, and poised for greatness.”

“On behalf of His Excellency Governor Douye Diri, I say welcome home, champions! Thank you for making Bayelsa the pride of the Niger Delta at this historic maiden edition of the festival. You stood tall at the centre of a region redefining its future  future beyond oil, driven by talent, hard work, and excellence.”

He continued: “To the Director of Sports, Braveman Wodi, our dedicated coaches, technical staff, secretaries, media team, and every single athlete who gave their all, you have etched your names into gold. We celebrate you. You have made us proud.”

Igali, however, reminded the team to stay grounded and focused as the journey continues: “While we revel in this remarkable achievement, our eyes must now turn to the bigger challenge ahead of the National Sports Festival, Gateway 2025, in Ogun State. It’s time to rest, recover, and prepare to raise the bar once again.”

Delta and Edo States finished second and third respectively, with Delta securing 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals, while Edo claimed 23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze medals.

“Bayelsa has spoken and the message is clear: this is only the beginning”. 

Solution FC of Anambra on Wednesday defeated Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-1 in the ongoing Nigeria Federation/President Cup to end the Makurdi team journey in the competition.

The match played inside Enyimba International Stadium, Aba in Abia saw the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side exit the competition in the hand of Nigeria National League (NNL) team.

The first 45 minute ended goalless but Solution FC showed their intent to winning the match after the interval and their efforts was rewarded in the 51st minute through Emeka Oyuke.

Alexander Oche put the Makurdi team level in 78th minute, few minutes of his introduction to put smiles on the faces of their fans.

It was Solution FC that had the last laugh when Ahamefuna Chizoba restored the NNL team led on 85th minutes to send Lobi Stars packing.

Speaking after the match, Gabriel Ezema the Solution FC coach, said his team showed they are growing and that they can measure up in the NPFL.

The coach said the experience he acquired when he was with Rangers FC of Enugu for seven years help him a lot while playing against NPFL side.

Ezema said, “We have a good team and I just needed to transfer that experience and confidence in the players so that they can compete at the higher level.”

He said that Solution achieved something big by defeating Lobi Stars, describing the win as a good motivation for his team going into the second round of the NNL.

Speaking on their opponent NPFL position, he said that club performance in the match did not reflect their position on the league log.

“I think that Lobi Stars performance did not reflect their position in the ongoing Nigeria League because, they have a lot of experience, quality just that, things did not work out for them.

“Lobi had their moment in today’s match but they did not take it, just like we had ours and converted two, that is what football is all about,” Ezema said. (NAN)

No fewer than 350 golfers are set to slug it out for honours in the IBB International Golf and Country Club Lady Captain’s Cup 2025,  scheduled to hold from April 2 to April 6 in Abuja.

The Lady Captain’s Cup is a prestigious tournament that brings  high net worth individuals, business leaders, golf enthusiasts, and community supporters together.

The participants are expected to come together for a week of friendly competition, networking and extraordinary celebration of the achievements of the Ladies Golf Section under the leadership of the Lady Captain, Dame Julie Donli.

Donli told newsmen that the event would  offer an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate golfers, corporate and individual sponsors of the Ladies Golf Section and engage diverse audiences.

“It has been an incredible journey serving as the Lady Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club with our Theme for the Year : “Ladies Supporting Ladies .

“I have enjoyed the honour of leading an exceptional group of women who are committed to the advancement of golf and the well-being of our community.

“l am filed with gratitude for the incredible journey we have shared. Over the past year, we have accomplished so much together.

“We have hosted remarkable tournaments, expanding our membership, giving back to the community, developing infrastructure, and strengthening the legacy of the ladies Golf Section (LGS),” she said.

The lady captain noted that under her leadership, activities at the club had been vibrant and impactful with key highlights.

“Some of our highlights include a significant increase in the weekly Thursday Kitty participation, growing from 28 to over 190 players.

“Hosting of major tournaments, including the 26th IBB Ladies Amateur Golf Open Championship and 25th lBB Ladies Close Championship.

“Expansion of the Junior Open Championship, leading to two young Nigerian golfers earning World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).

“Completion of a four-unit toilet and storage facility at the Driving Range, enhancing club infrastructure.

“Sponsorship, mobilisation, strengthening financial sustainability as well as national and international engagements,” she said.

She expressed  appreciation to the sponsors, partners, and everyone who worked tirelessly to make the remarkable successes recorded in the committee possible.

She said their unwavering support had been instrumental to the success of the LGS 2024/2025 Committee.

She called on all participants to display the spirit of sportsmanship, adding that she would love to be remembered for being a lady captain who was committed to her job, dedicated, hardworking, and passionate.

“As we look forward to an exciting round of golf, championship Ball/Prize presentation for the next couple of days, I encourage all participants to embrace the spirit of fair play, friendship, and excellence.

“Together, we will continue to grow the game of golf and inspire even greater achievements as I look forward to a memorable event,” she said.

Omon Isemede, the Social Secretary, IBB Ladies Golf Section, said the LGS committee had lined up  series of exciting events for the week-long tournament.

“The first day which is April 2 is the Caddies Versus Ladies Competition because we intend to make it an  all-inclusive event, so we can’t leave out our caddies, including our pros, who will be playing on that day.

“We will also be having a CPR training for the caddies and ladies on that day because they are usually the first responders in the event of an emergency in the golf course.

“Thursday, April 3 will be the turn of the veterans /super veterans (men/ladies) competition as well as sickle cell anaemia enlightenment and awareness session.

“Category three  (men/ladies) 24.3 and above will be playing on Friday, while Saturday, April 5 will be the crremonial tee off with quite a number of dignitaries expected to grace the occasion.

“The ceremonial tee-off will be followed by category 2 players (men/ ladies) (handicap index (15.8-24.2) event.

“Sunday, April 6, which is the final day will see category 1 (0.5-15.7) players (men/ladies) as well as our sponsors slugging it out on the green with the dinner/ prize giving ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m.,” she said.

Isemede also revealed that the overall winner would be smiling home with a business class return ticket to London, courtesy of Air Peace.

The LGS committee  visited a motherless babies’ home in Gishiri,  shortly after the news  conference held at the club on Thursday (today).(NAN)