NDSF25: Rivers State's Young Athletes Shine at Final Trials, Set Sights on Niger Delta Sports Festival Glory

By Eyo Idongesit Kelvin 

The future of sports in Rivers State looks bright, if the recent trials for the Niger Delta Sports Festival are anything to go by. Young athletes from across the state gathered to showcase their skills, and the talent on display was impressive.

With just seven days to go before the festival kicks off, the athletes demonstrated impressive skills and techniques, outmaneuvering their opponents in various categories.

In basketball, the female athletes stole the show, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication. Abbey Vanessa, one of the standout players, spoke to the media after the game, expressing her excitement about the tournament.

"I'm very excited about the tournament. This is the first time we're preparing for a major competition in the state after a long while."

"It's a developing team, with younger players who don't have much experience, but we're not underdogs. We'll go all out to give a good account of ourselves and come back with a win,"

"I must commend NDDC for putting together such a competition. It's a good one, and I hope there are more to come," Vanessa concluded.

Coach Fubara Onyanabo, who led the selection process for basketball, was impressed with the level of talent on display.

"We're thrilled with the level of talent we've seen in basketball," Onyanabo said. 

"Our female athletes have shown remarkable skill and dedication, and we're confident they'll make a strong impression at the festival."

The trials also showcased the state's strength in traditional wrestling and freestyle wrestling, with athletes demonstrating speed, agility, and technical skill. On the football pitch, Rivers State athletes showed off their skills, with impressive displays and ball control.

Handball was another sport where Rivers State athletes excelled, demonstrating technical skill and thrilling spectators with their matches.

The successful completion of the trials marks a significant milestone in Rivers State's preparation for the festival. With just seven days to go before the competition kicks off, the selected athletes will now focus on fine-tuning their skills ahead of the competition.

As the athletes prepare to take on the best from other states in the Niger Delta region, one thing is clear: Rivers State is ready to shine.

"We're confident that our athletes will make a strong impression at the festival," said the Chairman of the Rivers State Liaison Committee. "We're proud of the talent we have in the state, and we're excited to see them compete against the best in the region."