Bayelsa Targets Squash Inclusion as State Prepares to Host 2028 National Sports Festival
By Jonah Fubara, YENAGOA – The Bayelsa State Government has expressed readiness to use the 2028 National Sports Festival in Yenagoa as a platform to showcase emerging sporting talents, with the state pushing for squash to be included among the sports featured at the event.
Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Baraladei Igali, disclosed this while speaking at the finals of the 2026 South-South Zonal Squash Tournament held at Dews Lifestyle Gym, Customs Road, Biogbolo, Yenagoa.
Igali said Bayelsa had the potential to produce young squash players capable of winning medals at major national and international competitions, describing the state as fertile ground for nurturing sporting talents.
He commended the Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, and his team for organising the tournament, which attracted athletes from Bayelsa, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
According to him, the competition provided young squash players across the South-South Zone with an opportunity to test their abilities, gain competitive experience and showcase their talents.
The Sports Commissioner expressed optimism that the tournament would become an annual event and contribute to the sustained development of squash in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region.
He also appreciated the athletes, officials, organisers and spectators who participated in the competition, while wishing athletes from other states safe journeys back home.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Health, Professor Seiyefa Brisibe, said the tournament was organised primarily to identify promising young squash players and provide them with opportunities for proper training and development.
Brisibe called for increased government intervention, funding and support for squash, stressing that greater investment could significantly improve the development of the sport across the South-South Zone.
He urged young people interested in squash to see the sport beyond recreation, noting that it promotes physical fitness and healthy living while providing opportunities for rewarding careers at national and international levels.
The Zonal Chairman of the South-South Squash Federation, Mr. Iniobong Esuene, described the tournament as significant to the development of squash in the region, saying it would help strengthen the sport at the grassroots, discover emerging talents and prepare them for national competitions.
Esuene expressed satisfaction with the standard of play, noting that the athletes demonstrated skills, stamina and determination capable of taking them to national and international competitions.
He, however, identified inadequate funding and limited support as major challenges confronting the development of squash in the zone.
He called for stronger government-private sector partnerships and greater commitment from coaches, squash clubs, sponsors and other stakeholders to revive and sustain the sport, which he said had suffered neglect in the past.
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Squash Association, Mr. Tarinyo Akono, also encouraged residents to embrace squash, describing it as a sport that promotes physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
Akono urged parents to encourage their children to take up squash, stressing that the sport could provide opportunities for rewarding careers.
He appealed to individuals and corporate organisations to support young players with essential equipment, particularly canvas shoes and rackets, which he said could be expensive and unaffordable for many aspiring athletes.
In the women’s final, Delight Allison of Jacob Esuene Sport Club, Akwa Ibom, emerged winner with 21 points, while Tontonye Victory of Yenagoa Squash Club, Bayelsa, placed second with 18 points. Uwem Mbong James, also of Jacob Esuene Sport Club, finished third with 15 points.
In the men’s category, Femi Shedara of Edo State won with 21 points, followed by Promise James of Jacob Esuene Sport Club, Akwa Ibom, with 20 points. Pedro Jeremiah of Bayelsa finished third with 14 points.
