T he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to elevate sports in the region with the launch of the Niger Delta Games, scheduled to take place from April 1 to 8. The event will feature 3,000 athletes competing in 17 sports, aiming to discover and nurture future global sports stars.
Speaking on the initiative, Games consultant Itiako Ikpokpo emphasized the need to restore the Niger Delta’s legacy as a hub for elite Nigerian athletes.
“The Niger Delta once produced some of Nigeria’s top athletes, but talent development has dwindled. After making significant strides in infrastructural development, the NDDC has now turned its focus to sports, recognizing its role in national growth.”
He further stated that the competition is strictly for athletes aged 16 to 25 from the Niger Delta region, with measures in place to prevent age fraud.
“We are committed to ensuring fairness, which is why we have set an age limit. Any athlete found guilty of age falsification will be disqualified, and their state will be fined.”
The Games will kick off with Local Government Area and state trials before culminating in the main event in Akwa Ibom, the host state.
Nine states will compete for honors: Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Cross River, Bayelsa, Ondo, Abia, and Imo.
The NDDC aims to use this competition as a springboard for emerging athletes to represent Nigeria at national, continental, and global competitions.
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