The Niger Delta Development Commission is set to make a significant impact in sports development with the launch of the Niger Delta Games.
This initiative follows the commission’s remarkable achievements in infrastructural development, according to the Games’ consultant, Itiako Ikpokpo.
Scheduled to take place from April 1 to 8, the event will feature 3,000 athletes competing in 17 different sports.
Ikpokpo emphasized that the Games aim to revive the region’s legacy of producing top-tier athletes and nurturing them into global stars.
“Niger Delta used to produce most of Nigeria’s top athletes, but today there’s a dearth of talents,” he noted. “The NDDC, after their huge strides in infrastructural development, agreed that it was time to give sports the focus it deserved in the region to produce the desired talents in that area of our national life.
“Just like the NDDC is famed for their development of infrastructure in the region, we also want the world to know that the NDDC is ready to produce sports talents for the country.”
Ikpokpo further explained that participation in the Games would be restricted to athletes of Niger Delta heritage between the ages of 16 and 25, ensuring the competition stays true to its developmental objectives.
“We want to achieve the purpose of starting the Games, that is why we have fixed the athletes’ ages from 16 to 25. There are modalities to check age cheats, and those caught will be disqualified and their states fined.
“Those who do well at the event should be able to attend competitions in Nigeria, Africa, and globally.”
The competition will commence with Local Government Area and state-level trials before the final showdown in Akwa Ibom, the host state.
Athletes from nine states; Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo, Abia, and Imo will battle for supremacy in what promises to be a landmark event for sports in the region.
