Odogu appeals to Governor Diri for annual state championship trophy; Izagara pledges additional cash prizes as Mr. Republic emerges winner of 8th edition
The Chairman of the Bayelsa State Draught Association, Chief Paul Charles Odogu, has appealed to Governor Douye Diri to support the development of draught in the state by instituting an annual championship trophy, similar to government-supported competitions in other sporting disciplines.
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Odogu made the appeal during the 8th edition of the King Odogu Draught Tournament held in Yenagoa on Saturday, October 31, 2026, which attracted draught enthusiasts and champions from different local government areas of Bayelsa State.
The Association Chairman said the annual competition was designed to promote the game, discover hidden talents, encourage healthy competition and provide opportunities for gifted players to represent the state at inter-state and national sporting events.
He observed that draught had gradually moved beyond its traditional perception as a recreational pastime, attracting professionals, public officials, business personalities and other accomplished individuals.
“Before this time, many people had thought that Draught players are people who merely pastime, by gathering and have nothing to do. But the narrative has changed. Here we are. We have people who love the play of Draught. We have directors, captains of industry, political juggernauts and professionals who are in the Draught industry,” Odogu said.
He expressed confidence in the ability of Bayelsa players to excel at higher levels if their talents were adequately harnessed.
“I can assure you, Bayelsa State has the best Draught players in Nigeria. If the prowess of these Draught players are properly harnessed, like wrestling and every other sport, Bayelsa will always have a lot of golds to bring to the table,” he stated.
He appealed to the state government to donate a trophy that would serve as an annual championship prize and further motivate players across the state.
IZAGARA ADVOCATES GREATER RECOGNITION FOR DRAUGHT
Speaking as Father of the Day, former Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Chief Blessing Ipigansi Izagara, highlighted the intellectual benefits of draught, particularly its contribution to memory development, logical reasoning and strategic thinking.
Izagara described draught as an intellectually stimulating game deserving greater recognition and institutional support.
“Most people don’t know the benefits of Draught. One of the benefits of Draught is this: Draught revives your memory,” he said.
He further observed that the game encouraged mathematical and analytical abilities among young players, arguing that it should receive greater attention from government and sporting stakeholders.
Recalling his involvement in efforts to promote draught during his tenure as Commissioner, Izagara narrated how the victory of a Bayelsan player, Doubra, at a competition organised by Iyamu in Benin prompted him to raise the issue of government support at the State Executive Council level during the administration of former Governor Seriake Dickson.
He commended Odogu for sustaining the tournament through eight editions and expressed optimism that the game would continue to expand.
“I want to thank all of you, and I want to thank Odogu. This is the 8th edition, and I hope, by the time we reach the 10th edition, Draught would have gone into the Olympics,” he said.
Izagara also pledged additional financial rewards of N30,000, N20,000 and N10,000 for the first-, second- and third-place winners respectively, in addition to the tournament’s existing prize money.
He promised to collaborate with the Association Chairman in presenting the request for a government-sponsored trophy to Governor Diri.
SPORTS DIRECTORATE COMMENDS ORGANISERS
The Director of Sports, Mr. Lambert B. Harrison, represented by the Head of Department (Coaching) Mr. Winfred Felagha, commended the organisers and participants, expressing surprise at the level of participation and organisation.
Mr. Felagha said the Director had asked him to convey the Directorate’s appreciation to the Association and all draught players in the state.
He also stated that the initiative was consistent with the sports development policy of Governor Diri’s Assured Prosperity Administration.
He assured the gathering that the observations and requests made during the tournament would be communicated to the Director of Sports.
ISIBIRI DECLARES TOURNAMENT OPEN
Earlier, Prof. Elliot Isibiri, who formally declared the tournament open, described draught as a game with intellectual, emotional, social and physical benefits.
He commended the Association Chairman for sustaining the annual competition and encouraged participants to embrace unity, mutual respect and cooperation.
“Draught, like every other game, supports your mental state, your emotion, your body, supports you financially and supports your health wellbeing. And so it’s something that needs to be encouraged,” Isibiri stated.
He described draught as a game that promotes friendship and healthy interaction, urging members of the Association to remain united in pursuing the development of the sport.
He subsequently declared the eighth edition of the King Odogu Draught Tournament open.
COMPETITION ATTRACTS PLAYERS FROM ACROSS BAYELSA
Explaining the tournament’s organisation, the Public Relations Officer of Odogu Draught Centre, Mr. Ipigansi Ubaguo, said participants progressed through preliminary group stages and knockout rounds before reaching the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
He explained that champions from different local government areas were selected to participate, making the competition a platform for identifying and promoting emerging talents.
According to him, the eighth edition recorded increased participation compared with the seventh edition.
He said the ultimate objective was to popularise draught and encourage the Bayelsa State Government to formally recognise the game within the state’s sports development programme.
DIGIENINI ZITEI EMERGES TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
After a keenly contested competition, Mr. Digienini Zitei emerged winner of the eighth edition of the King Odogu Draught Tournament.
The winner, who disclosed that it was his third participation in the competition, expressed delight at finally securing the championship after previous unsuccessful attempts.
“I feel very happy because it was not easy. This is the third time that I’m playing this game. I’ve not won it before, but today, as God would have it, I happen to be the winner. I’m very, very happy,” he said.
He commended Chief Odogu for providing the platform and sustaining the tournament, noting that draught players were increasingly receiving recognition for their abilities and contributions to society.
The announced prize structure provided N150,000 for the first-place winner, N100,000 for the second-place winner and N50,000 for the third-place winner, alongside the additional contributions pledged by Chief Izagara.
ODOGU SEEKS NATIONAL PLATFORM FOR BAYELSA PLAYERS
Speaking to EMTV News after the presentation of prizes, Chief Odogu expressed satisfaction with the participation and enthusiasm demonstrated by players from across the state.
He explained that the tournament was primarily designed to discover talented players, particularly those from riverine communities, and provide them with opportunities to showcase their abilities.
“The essence of organising this tournament is to dig out those hidden talents, fish out those that are hiding in the creeks to bring them to play, so that we recognise them, so that we feature them in inter-state competitions and other competitions and bring laurels to the state,” he said.
Odogu disclosed that participants travelled from Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, Nembe, Brass and other parts of Bayelsa to participate in the competition.
Reiterating his appeal for government intervention, he urged the Governor, Commissioner for Sports and Director of Sports to support the Association’s efforts to develop the game.
“Let him also bring out one cup to us, like what he’s doing for wrestling and other sports, so that every year we’ll gather and play and win like brothers. Government should come to our aid so that Draught would get better,” he appealed.
He also called for the inclusion of draught in national sporting competitions, arguing that Bayelsa had the potential to produce outstanding players capable of winning medals at higher levels.
According to him, the Association’s slogan, “Excellent Thinking, Excellent Results,” reflects its commitment to developing intellectual sporting talents.
PARAMOUNT RULER ADVOCATES UNITY
The Chairman of the occasion, HRH Peremobowei Yeseibo (I Oporoma XII), Paramount Ruler of Obunaghan Kingdom, commended the participants for their peaceful conduct throughout the competition.
He expressed optimism that subsequent editions would attract greater support and participation, while urging members of the draught-playing community to resolve internal differences and work together for the advancement of the game.
The royal father disclosed plans to establish a committee to examine issues affecting unity within the Association and facilitate reconciliation among members.
“The more formidable we become, the stronger we become, and the more coordinated we become. So we must happily come together,” he said.
Yeseibo also commended Chief Odogu for using the annual tournament as a platform to bring people together, noting that the gathering attracted not only draught players but also politicians and other stakeholders.
He expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the competition and prayed for the continued success of the Association and the safe return of participants to their respective communities.
SUSTAINING THE MOMENTUM
The eighth edition of the King Odogu Draught Tournament has further highlighted the growing interest in the game across Bayelsa State and the determination of its organisers to provide a platform for discovering and developing local talents.
With the Association seeking an annual government-sponsored championship and greater representation at national sporting events, attention will now turn to the response of the relevant authorities and the prospects of institutional support for the game.
For Chief Odogu and other stakeholders, the ultimate objective remains to transform draught from a largely community-based recreational activity into a recognised competitive sporting discipline capable of producing champions for Bayelsa State.
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