The 6th Delta State Sports Festival opened on Tuesday at the state polytechnic stadium in Ozoro amid pomp and pageantry.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Hon. Oghenekaro Ilolo, took the salute during the march past that featured athletes from the 25 local government areas that are participating in the competition.
Dr. Tony Onowhakpo took the oath on behalf of the officiating officials, while top Nigerian sprinter, Egwero Ogho-Oghene, did the same on behalf of the athletes.
The state Arts Council cultural troupe added colours with their professional displays.
Ika Rangers FC and Isoko United FC clashed in the football match scheduled as part of the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Egwero is the biggest star competing at the sixth Delta State Sports Festival which began yesterday at Ozoro Polytechnic Stadium.
Egwero has led Team Nigeria to different athletics events, setting a personal best times of 10.06 seconds in the 100m at Congo Brazzaville 2015 All Africa Games. He is said to be eyeing four gold medals for his Isoko-South Local Government Area in the on-going festival.
Egwero is expected to compete in the 100m, 200m, 4×100 and 4x400m relay events for his LGA.
The Ozoro Stadium, where the closing ceremony will also take place later this week, is hosting track and field as well as football event.
Former Nigerian jumper, hurdler and sprinter, Seigha Porbeni, who made the disclosure expressed his satisfaction with the state government’s determination to make sports part of its priorities.
Porbeni, who is the head of Delta athletics team said: “It is a thing of joy to witness the Sixth Delta Sports Festival after 12 years. It brings together the unity and bond, which has been the strongest point of the state in the National Sports Festival.
They won the National Sports Festival six times in eight editions. Those were under the Chief James Ibori’s administration (1999-2007) and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure (2007-2015).
