By Daily Sports Nigeria on January 26, 2026

Samuel Oredipe has pledged to deepen grassroots athletics development in Bayelsa State following his appointment as chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association, outlining plans to expand talent discovery and create more competitive platforms across the state, The PUNCH reports.

Oredipe, who took over from Godwin Oghogho after the expiration of his tenure, said his elevation was a continuation of the rebuilding process undertaken by the association over the past five years, with a strong emphasis on nurturing locally developed athletes.

He explained that sustained collaboration with coaches and institutional backing from the Bayelsa State Sports Council had already begun to yield results, reflected in the state’s improved performances at national track and field competitions.

“I feel excited at the appointment. I have served as vice chairman for almost five years understudying the chairman. This appointment will drive me for more success. In the past five years, we have been rebuilding athletics in Bayelsa State, building home-grown athletes. That is our biggest achievement, discovering young talents and nurturing them,” Oredipe told The PUNCH.

“The result of our efforts working with the coaches and support from the Sports Council are very evident in past national events where Bayelsa competed favourably in track and field events.”

“We are going to concentrate on grassroots development of athletics. Talents abound in the creeks and we will create platforms for regular competitions.”

A former middle-distance runner, Oredipe was until his appointment the immediate past vice chairman of the state athletics association and currently serves on the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria as its auditor.

His appointment was confirmed in a January 19 letter endorsed by the Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Andrew Aye, who cited Oredipe’s contributions to athletics development in the state over the past five years as the basis for his elevation.

Aye also urged the new chairman to sustain collaboration with key stakeholders in order to consolidate recent gains and drive further progress in the sport.

Beyond his administrative role, Oredipe is a seasoned broadcaster and the Director General of Bayelsa State Government New Media. He is also the founder of SamKay Athletics Club in Yenagoa, a privately run initiative that has produced several young track and field athletes who have gone on to represent Bayelsa State at national and international competitions.

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 26, 2026

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