As the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF), is underway in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Team Bayelsa has expressed readiness to give serial winners, Team Delta and other powerhouses like Edo, Rivers and even the host state Ogun, a run for their money.

The leader of the Bayelsa State delegation and Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali, while speaking with newsmen after the opening ceremony which was held on Sunday said competition for medals will be fierce.

He said though Delta has been perennial winners of the festival, with the preparedness of Bayelsa athletes, it is his prayers that the state wins the ongoing edition.

“We have a fortified team going for the National Sports Festival. I know we are going to be very competitive, but of course you know, the perennial winners are Delta. Delta is almost insurmountable but I’m sure we are going to give Delta a good run for their money, and that is what sport in Nigeria deserves.

“If you see the super 6 now, four teams could have won it. We want to see that level of competition and I am hoping that the Bayelsa contingents to the NSF will present that kind of opposition to Edo, Delta, Rivers and even to the host state. That is our hope and that is our prayers,” he said.

Before the Bayelsa contingents departed Yenagoa for Abeokuta, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, had charged them to emerge as the overall winners.