Nigeria’s elite soccer league boss Gbenga Elegbeleye has thrown his weight behind the proposed Niger Delta Sports Festival, scheduled for April 2025.
The Nigeria Premier Football League Chairman also endorsed the nine Festival Ambassadors unveiled by organizers of the event.
The Ondo State born administrator said the choice of former Olympic Games gold medalists Victor Ikpeba, Emmanuel Amuneke, Kanu Nwankwo, Enefiok Udo-Obong lays much credence to the event which is exclusively for the Niger Delta areas.
“The organizers could not have done better than to go for those who have made the nation proud in major international competitions like the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and other various World Championships as ambassadors of Nigeria Delta Sports Festival.”
“The goals of Kanu, Ikpeba and Amuneke were crucial in getting Nigeria an important gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games just as our anchor Enee ran the race of his life which resulted in Nigeria securing a gold medal in 4 x 400m in Australia, four years later.
“Blessing Oborodudu’s heroics on the mat culminated in a much needed Olympics silver medal while two-time African Athletics Championship winner Seun Ogunkoya’s record in 100m remains intact since 1998, Elegbeleye said.
He also supported the recognition of Paralympic athlete and coach Patience Igbiti who clinched medals in consecutive Olympic Games.
“Patience’s consistency in Powerlifting got her Olympic Games medals in 2004 and 2008 before becoming a coach of repute.”
The NPFL chief added that erstwhile World Youth Athletics record holder Tamunosiki Atorubido and former Super Falcons midfield player Efioanwan Ekpo merited their places as brand ambassadors of the Games.
Elegbeleye urged organizers of Niger Delta Sports Festival to extend same hands of recognition to several other performers in the mandate area who showed resilience and commitment in their hay days.
