Gov Diri Receives UK Honour For Outstanding Contribution To Grassroots Sports Development
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has been honoured in the United Kingdom for his contributions to grassroots sports development and the growth of sports infrastructure in the state.
Diri was among distinguished Nigerians recognised at the 2026 Nigerian Universal Keystone Sports Awards (NUKSA), held on Thursday night at the Ham Polo Club in Richmond, London.
The governor received the Outstanding Contribution to Grassroots Sports Development Award at the gala night, which brought together prominent personalities and stakeholders in Nigerian sports and the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom.
Diri, who was represented at the event by Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali, and his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, described the recognition as an “enormous honour” and a special endorsement of his administration’s achievements in sports.
Speaking through Igali, the governor said Bayelsa had recorded remarkable progress in sports over the past six years despite being one of the least populated states in the country.
He said the state had consistently ranked among the top three best-performing states in sports in Nigeria under his administration, while preparations were also underway to host the 2028 National Sports Festival.
According to him, the state is currently constructing world-class sporting facilities as part of efforts to establish sustainable infrastructure capable of supporting the development of sports beyond his administration.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, we thank the NUKSA organisers for this enormous honour,” Igali said while receiving the award on the governor’s behalf.
He added that the administration’s objective was to leave behind sporting facilities that would continue to benefit generations of Bayelsans.
“Our goal is to bequeath to future generations facilities that when we leave office, in another 10 to 20 years, sports will continue to thrive in Bayelsa,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Director of the 2026 NUKSA Awards, Mr. David Doherty, commended Governor Diri for his contributions to sports and infrastructure development in Bayelsa.
Doherty described the governor as a passionate sports enthusiast and one of Nigeria’s outstanding leaders, noting that his administration had helped change the narrative about Bayelsa in the area of sports.
He said the awards were designed to celebrate excellence, recognise outstanding contributions and inspire the next generation of athletes.
Other notable recipients at the ceremony included Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; his wife, Prof. Olufolake AbdulRazaq; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; wife of former Nigerian President, Dr. AyimaLott-Jonathan; Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Onoriode Oborevwori; and Chelsea youngster, Chizzy Ezenwata, who received the Emerging Talent Award.
