Preparations for the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) have reached fever pitch and fishing communities in Bayelsa are sharpening their canoeing skills with the view to dominate in the sports fiesta billed for April 1-8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In Kolokuma/Opukuma and Yenagoa Federal Constituency, the excitement is boiling over with youths and their coaches stepping up their training in anticipation of competing and collecting the reward that comes with it.
One such of such athletes is Goodluck Kingsley Lawrence who sees the NDSF as an opportunity to display his natural prowess in canoeing and perhaps become a national hero in a sport that is begging for attention in Nigeria, despite being an Olympic sport.
“It is my dream to turn this our natural way of life into something that will attract greatness to my state in sports”, Goodluck said.
His coach Inagia Gabe is grateful for the opportunity for the youths in the community to showcase their naturally endowed skills in canoeing adding that they are looking forward the competition that may open doors for them in sports.
Timitimi-Funwei Erekposeigha, a former national swimming champion and coordinator of the events, also offered assurances that Bayelsa State will utilize their indigenous environment to an advantage.
Canoeing as one of the 17 sports to be contested for in the NDSF.
Elsewhere, the Table Tennis trials also held at the multi-purpose hall, Sports Complex Yenagoa.
On hand to see the proceedings were the Sports Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Daniel Igali and the Chairman, Bayelsa Table Tennis Association, Mr Amaebi Stow.
Two aspiring ping-pongers, Benjamin Richard and Tukuru Faith, expressed their desires to beat the drop and make the state proud at the festival in Uyo.
Faith said, “I am prepared to do my very best, to come out here and qualify, and hopefully, to come out tops there and win a gold medal. Bayelsans should expect two gold medals from me”.
Trials in swimming, boxing, weightlifting and football commenced on Friday.
