The build up to the Niger Delta Sports Festival continues to gather speed with a large number of contestants registering their intentions to compete for honours.
Impressed by the entries so far, is the NDSF main organizing committee chairman Alabo Boma Iyaye. He said the numbers are encouraging for the event billed for April 1-8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Iyaye, who is also the Executive Director Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) stated that barely a few weeks after the details of the festival were made public, the huge response was a sign of good things to come and that the interest generated by the Games has surpassed expectations. The NDSF mascot and Ambassadors will be unveiled in Owerri on Friday, March 7.
“I am personally happy and excited at the enthusiasm our youths have shown in embracing the very first festival being organised in the region”, the former Rivers State Commissioner for Sports told the NDSF Media.
He also commended the Organising Committee for creating talking points that have built huge awareness for the festival.
“The festival has only been made public not quite three weeks but look at the numbers that has applied through the portal.
“I want to commend those charged with the organisation of the festival for a good job so far and it has gained traction through such innovations as the logo competition, the naming of festival Ambassadors and the planned unveiling. These are all add-ons that has made the festival a topic in online and physical communities”, Iyaye also noted.
In the latest figures released by the Technical Committee, Abia State tops the registration chart with over 2000 and are trailed by Bayelsa with 1410, Cross River with 1332, Ondo has 1278 and Delta with 1191. Rivers State has the least figure of 951.
Further data from the Technical Committee also show Athletics and Football attracting more entries at 2640 and 2579 respectively. Other high numbers are in Volleyball 934, Handball 877 and Basketball 694.
Only athletes who registered through the online portal would be eligible to participate in the local government and federal constituency trials leading to the state finals.
