December 08, (THEWILL) — The President of the Independent Grassroots Sports Development Association, IGSDA, Chief Miebi Ogunu, says he has identified over 100 athletes in his fifty years of impactful grassroots development in the country.
Chief Ogunu made the declaration at a media parley held at the NUJ Press Centre, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as part of activities to mark the celebration of the renowned sports administrator.
He noted that he was joyous to celebrate his fifty years of impactful grassroots sports development in the country, starting from old Rivers State to date, and that he was one of the few persons across the nation back then in the Youth and Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, who went into multi-sports development programmes in the country.
According to him, he played a significant role in discovering table tennis star, John Otukpa, pointing out that he and the retired athletics coach, Morris Terimo, have discovered talents who have represented Bayelsa and the country in various competitions.
While appreciating the SWAN for the partnership over the years, a visibly elated Ogunu outlined the talents he has nurtured, including Ikechukwu Ezenwa, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Akpan Bassey, Diseye Nwankwe, Dimie Ineididie, and Wisdom Magbisa, who is currently plying his trade with Bayelsa United.
Chief Ogunu, who is currently a board member in Bayelsa United, opined that he is grateful to the Almighty God that all the players he has nurtured to stardom have become breadwinners in their respective families, some with a Master’s degree, urging sports journalists to imbibe the habit of record keeping.
The chairman of the planning committee, Hon. Uroh Omiekumo Kiani, earlier in an address, outlined the plans for the week-long event starting from Monday, December 8, 2025, with an awareness walk from the Ekeki Park to the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, at 6:30 am.
He explained that the novelty match will come up on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS, Ovom by 7:00 am, while the table tennis event will take place at the Fortress at Oxbow-lake road, the track and field event, Teqball and Taekwondo will take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
Hon Omiekumo Kiani further explained that Thursday, December 11, 2025, will witness the anniversary lecture at the D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall by 10:00 am, while the dinner will take place on Friday, December 13, at the same venue, describing Ogunu’s contribution to the development of sports as invaluable.
He asserted that the celebrant, as a banker, used his personal resources to initiate meaningful grassroots sports programmes, that Ogunu did not look at monetary gains, but rather invested his resources into the future of young athletes in the country.
Hon Omiekumo Kiani added that former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, RT. Hon Abraham Ingobere, Secretary to the Government of Bayelsa State, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Hon Ebieri Jones and other dignitaries are expected to be at the event.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
