The 6th Delta State sports festival held at the main bowl of the Ozoro Polytechnic has ended, with Warri North Local Government Area topping the medal table.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the seven-day sporting event, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, promised his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the state will continue to excel in national sports events.
He said, “Sporting activities are vital areas where our young men and women can be meaningfully engaged; they keep the young ones busy and away from delinquent behaviour and youth restiveness in all its ramifications.
“Besides, they also give them the opportunity to develop their talents on their way to national and international prominence.”
The reiterated government’s determination to ensure that the state continues to play a leading role in the development of sports in the country.
To achieve that goal, he promised to make the sports festival a yearly event, which will provide more avenues for youths to productively engage in sporting activities and foster peace and unity in the entire state.
Warri North Local Government Area clinched the first position with 39 gold medals to beat its closest rival, Oshimili South Local Government Area which got 30 gold medals, while Ukwuani Local Government Area got 29 gold medals.
The Minister Of Sports, Solomon Dalung, who was the special guest of honour, in his speech, acknowledged the contributions of Delta State in taking Nigeria to greater heights through sports development.
He said the state has produced quality sportsmen and women who have represented the country in major sporting events in Africa and other parts of the world.
He commended governor Okowa for his commitment to sports development, noting that sports had contributed immensely to the sustenance of peace in the state.
“I urge you to put more effort in training because talents have been identified and responsibility has now shifted to you to nurture these talents and make Nigeria great and proud,” he said.
Athletes, who participated in the festival, expressed optimism about the future with high hopes of being assets to the state in future national and international sporting activities.
Medals and trophies were given to winning athletes by Governor Okowa, the Sports Minister, and Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro,
Winner of the 2017 Big Brother Naija, reality show Efe Ejeba was also at the colourful ceremony.