Eno hails 3,000 athletes as NDSF ends in A’Ibom

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has congratulated over 3,000 athletes that participated in the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, declaring that all of them were winners.

He also called for nurturing of all talents that have been discovered during the fiesta which held at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo from April 1 to 8

Eno who was represented by the Chairman of the Uyo Local Government Council, Dr Uwemediimo Udo,made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the one-week sports festival with the theme “Niger Delta: Beyond Oil”

“Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom is here in spirit, as he asked that I represent him at this event.

“He has sent his best wishes to organisers, the Niger Delta Development Commission and all the participants.

“He has asked me to congratulate the organisers for a successful maiden sports festival organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“The governor has asked me to congratulate all participants and has asked me to remind all of you that you are all winners in your own right.

“He said I should inform you that nobody is a loser, as far as this competition is concerned. He has also asked that not just discovering these talents, but he is interested in nurturing these talents to ensure they achieve their utmost, as far as their areas of specialty are concerned,”

Eno commended President Bola Tinubu for giving NDDC the approval to organise a world class event, trusting that the standard will even be higher in future years.

In his remarks, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive of NDDC said that festival was an avenue to bring people from the nine states of the reguon to compete among themselves and discover champions, who will represent the region and country.

“Implementing the stakeholders engagement through the sports festival has brought peace and unity in the region,” Ogbuku said.

“This platform has given you that opportunity to express yourself, and because this platform has given you that opportunity to express yourself.

“It does not matter whether you comes last but what is important is that they are athletes in those teams to be selected by scouts.”

Team Bayelsa emerged the overall winner in the maiden edition of the Niger Delta sports festival with 42 gold, 29 silver and 15 bronze.

Delta came second with 41 gold, 26 silver and 32 bronze, while Edo came third with 23 gold, 35 silver and 31 bronze.