New beginning for Delta sports — Oborevwori

After a long wait, a new chairman has been sworn-in to stir the affairs of Delta State Sports Commission for the next four years. He is Onoriode Oborevwori, a former player of Frangers Football Club of Warri. He took over from Chief Tonobok Okowa, who vacated the position in February, this year, after the completion of his eight-year tenure.

Immediately after his inauguration, Oborevwori assured all athletes, coaches and staff of the Delta Sports Commission that the new board would ensure the success of Team Delta at the fast approaching 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State in January 2025.

Delta is the defending champion of the sports fiesta a title the state has won eight times since the return to democracy in 1999. Team Delta also dominated the National Youth Games since it began in 2013.

Speaking with The Guardian shortly after a reception organised in honour of the new board at the Squash Club in Asaba, graced by prominent government officials, renowned sports administrators, family members, friends and staff of the commission, Oborevwori stated that his board is committed to sustaining the state’s remarkable strides in sports development across various disciplines.

He acknowledged the significant responsibilities entrusted in him and his team by the government and people of Delta State, just as he promised to ensure the welfare of staff and athletes are well taken care of.

“Our athletes and coaches are our strength, and they must be encouraged and motivated to always defend the State colours in all competitions and championships.

“We will also improve on the quality of our infrastructural facilities across the State to ensure optimum performance, train and retrain our sports technocrats and staff of the Sports Commission,” he stated.

Speaking further, Oborevwori said: “There will be prudent utilisation of funds for sports programs and activities of the various Associations in the State, and there will be synergy with the Ministry of Education, Local Government Councils and Corporate bodies in driving our grassroots programmes.”

He also promised to work with the management of both Warri Wolves FC to ensure its promotion from the Nigerian National League (NNL) to the elite Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). “We will also give the needed support to players and officials of Delta Queens FC,” he stated.

He thanked the Governor for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to sports development in Delta State.

Other board members of the newly inaugurated Delta Sports Commission are former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje, Herrita Ehiabor and Oghale Ofremu.

Speaking with The Guardian, Sodje said: “It is great to be picked as one of the board members, and together, we aim to foster talent, promote healthy competition and create opportunities for our athletes to shine.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Sports Commission, Mr. Festus Ohwojero, has pledged the commission’s unwavering support for the new board, just as he highlighted the alignment of their mission with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE agenda, which focuses on youth empowerment and holistic growth of sporting activities in the state.