Bayelsa State has officially signalled its intention to host the 2028 National Sports Festival (NSF), a move that would see the South-south state stage the biennial multi-sport event for the very first time.
The announcement was made on Monday in Yenagoa by the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, during an inspection tour of facilities and engagements with concerned key figures.
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“Today in Yenagoa, I had the privilege of engaging with key stakeholders as Bayelsa State officially declared its intention to host the National Sports Festival in 2028,” Mr Olopade said.
“Alongside the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, we discussed the state’s readiness and vision for the festival. I also led the team on an inspection of facilities in Bayelsa as part of the evaluation process for their bid.
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“The National Sports Festival is not just a competition; it is a celebration of unity, talent, and the future of Nigerian sports. Bayelsa’s commitment is commendable, and we look forward to what lies ahead.”
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Today in Yenagoa, I had the privilege of engaging with key stakeholders as Bayelsa State officially declared its intention to host the National Sports Festival in 2028.
Alongside the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation and Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports… pic.twitter.com/HqDR6EVZf1
— Bukola Olopade (@BukolaOlopadee) August 18, 2025
Bayelsa’s first shot at hosting
If Bayelsa’s bid succeeds, the 2028 edition will mark the state’s debut as host of Nigeria’s flagship multi-sport competition, often described as the country’s “mini-Olympics.”
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The last edition of the festival was staged in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in 2024, while Enugu has already been confirmed to host the 2026 edition. For Bayelsa, the intention to bid reflects both its growing sporting ambition and its established reputation as a powerhouse in wrestling, a sport where the state consistently dominates the medals table.
Wrestling dispute: Olopade steps in
Beyond the festival bid, Mr Olopade also addressed a pressing issue during his visit; the suspension of Nigerian wrestler Amas Daniel, who has been banned from competition since 2023.
The NSC boss met with protesting youths in Yenagoa and later convened talks between Daniel and the Nigeria Wrestling Federation to find a resolution.
“We have been able to resolve it. It was the federation taking disciplinary action against him for being unruly. A simple apology to the federation would have resolved it, but I am meeting with them, and I am sure it will be resolved,” Olopade explained.
READ ALSO: How Nigeria can use sports to solve youth unemployment – Fashola
A festival of unity and growth
The National Sports Festival, introduced in 1973 to foster unity after the civil war, has grown into Nigeria’s most important talent discovery platform, producing several Olympians and national champions across different sports.
With wrestling already deeply rooted in Bayelsa’s sporting identity and the state keen to showcase its infrastructure and hospitality, the 2028 bid presents a chance to both expand its sporting influence and cement its place as a hub of Nigerian athletics.
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