Bayelsa Bids To Host 2028 National Sports Festival

Bayelsa State Sports Commissioner, Daniel Igali, has confirmed that the state is interested in hosting the 2028 National Sports Festival.

Igali said the state is ready to vie for the hosting rights with six other states to get the nod to host the 24th edition of the festival.

Ogun State hosted the 22nd edition tagged ‘Gateway Games’, and Enugu State has been handed the hosting rights to host the next National Sports Festival in 2026.

He confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the National Sports Commission for the 2028 edition of the festival with other states also signifying interest.

Igali said: “In my last conversation with the DG of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, he told me that there are almost six states vying to host the National Sports Festival in 2028.

“I must also tell you that Bayelsa is also interested in hosting the 2028 NSF. I think that might have been before but right now, other states are interested in hosting it.

“I think they are saying they are going to look at the possibilities of giving the host rights for the 2030 and 2032 NSF so that states can get properly ready for the hosting of Nigeria’s equivalent of the Olympic Games.”

Igali also confirmed that the state is looking at building another stadium to be able to compete with the other states for the hosting rights for the 2028 National Sports Festival.

Bayelsa State finished third at the last National Sports Festival in Ogun State with 92 gold, 65 silver, and 80 bronze for a total of 228 medals.