UYO: After six thrilling days of intense competition, cultural celebration, and youth engagement, the 2024 Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) came to a colorful close in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State. The final events—featuring football, athletics, and wrestling—brought the tournament to an exciting finish, marking the end of a festival that showcased the best of sportsmanship and unity across the region.
Nearly 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states participated in the festival, competing across various disciplines. The event created unforgettable moments, fostered regional camaraderie, and unearthed a wave of promising sports talents that could shape the future of Nigerian athletics.
At the closing media briefing, Boma Iyaye, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), expressed satisfaction with the outcome, commending the event’s success in uniting young people through sports. “This festival has created bonding opportunities among the youths of our region—memories they will carry for life. We at NDDC are proud to have provided this platform,” Iyaye said.
Though the competitive aspect concluded with the final events, the evening’s closing ceremony was expected to match, if not surpass, the carnival-like atmosphere that marked the festival’s opening night.
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DUNAMIS-ICON LIMITED , in partnership with Smile Global Entertainment, returned to deliver a grand finale full of sound, lights, and entertainment. Festival producer Brown Wilfred led preparations at Uyo Township Stadium, promising an unforgettable experience. “This setup is entirely different from what we did on opening day—this time, it’s going to blow minds,” he said.
The festival also fulfilled its long-term objectives, according to Itiako Ikpokpo, Lead Consultant for the event. “We’re proud of the execution, but the real impact lies in how we nurture the talent discovered here into future champions,” he noted.
The MOC, encouraged by positive feedback from across the country, announced plans to propose that the NDSF become a biennial event, held every two years to sustain momentum and development. “We’ve received overwhelming commendation. Based on this, we’ll recommend to the NDDC Board that the festival be institutionalized as a biennial program,” Iyaye added.
The Chairman of the NDDC Board, Chinedu Ebie, was in attendance to witness the festival’s closing moments, including the dramatic conclusion of the 4x400m relays.
In a thrilling finish, Edo State’s David Akahalu anchored his team to gold in the men’s 4x400m, claiming the final medal of the tournament. Earlier in the day, Delta State’s women’s team had triumphed in the same event, securing their place at the top of the medal table.
These decisive wins were believed to have tipped the overall medal standings in favor of Delta State, nudging Bayelsa State off the top spot and cementing Delta’s reputation as a sports powerhouse in the region.
With talks already underway for a potential return in 2027, and renewed emphasis on athlete development and regional collaboration, the 2024 NDSF has proven to be more than just a sports festival. It has become a beacon of hope, a platform for rising stars, and a celebration of excellence, resilience, and unity in the Niger Delta.
