Akwa Ibom would be focusing more on athletes discovery and future grooming at the 2nd Niger Delta Games coming up in Benin, Edo State from February 20-27.
Elder Paul Bassey, the state’s Commissioner for Sports revealed this policy thrust on Saturday while speaking on preparations for the regional games sponsored by the Niger Delta Games. He also disclosed that 476 athletes and 64 coaches have been registered by the State on the registration portal for the competition that will have contingents from eight other states. Registration of participants closed on Friday and the states are now to conduct trials to select the final list of athletes that will be travelling to Benin for the Games.
Mrs. Catherine Ewa, the Akwa Ibom State Director of Coaching, announced that profiles of 250 male and 226 female athletes were successfully uploaded on the Niger Delta Games central registration portals alongside 44 men and 20 women coaches.
While expressing optimism on the prospects of the state’s performance in the games, Bassey insisted that the state will be prioritizing finding athletes for the future.
“We have complied with the regulations bordering on eligibility of athletes by registering teenagers and youngsters, and for us, while it is important to win as many gold medals as possible at the games, we are also going to be placing a lot of emphasis on unearthing new talents in order to enrich our pool of sports stars for future endeavours”, he said.
Akwa Ibom hosted the maiden edition of the games in April 2025. The Niger Delta Games is a brainchild of Dunamis-Icon Limited which has as the. Lead Consultant, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo (KSM), who also is the Chairman of Delta State Athletics Association.
Preparations for the 2nd Niger Delta Games (NDG) are revving up in most of the states as they co8unt down to their respective final selection process at the States Finals.
From Cross River to Akwa Ibom, Imo to Bayelsa and Delta, Edo and Ondo, the registration processes has moved to uploading of completed forms to the Games registration portal.
Some state’s Liaison Committees are engaging their respective sports associations for technical assistance towards organising the state finals.
Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee, Elder Paul Bassey, who is also the Commissioner for Sports, expressed satisfaction with the concluded registration process.
“The uploading of forms and registration processes have been seamless so far, with athletes and officials responding positively.
“This smooth coordination reflects the state’s early commitment to ensuring a strong and organised presence at the Games” Bassey told NDG Media.
He also disclosed that training activities are well underway, as athletes across various sports have begun intensive preparations ahead of the trials.
“The mood in camp is upbeat, with participants showing high levels of enthusiasm, focus, and competitiveness”, he concluded.
In Akure, the Ondo State NDG Liaison Committee met with key stakeholders to fine-tune preparations for the forthcoming Games.
The meeting, which held on Tuesday at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, brought together representatives of state sports council and those of the various associations.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Liaison Committee, Henry Omoyofunmi, said the engagement was designed to harmonise plans to ensure that the state have a good outing in Benin.
Imo State and host Edo State have stepped up preparations for the 2nd Niger Delta Games, with both states taking decisive steps to ensure strong outings at the regional multi-sport event scheduled to hold in Benin City between February 20 and 27.
In Imo State, the Liaison Committee for the Niger Delta Games has mobilised all 27 Local Government Areas for comprehensive screening and scouting of athletes.
Chairman of the State Liaison Committee, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, disclosed this while addressing journalists, stressing that the state is fully prepared and determined to surpass its performance at the maiden edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Onyeocha explained that the mobilisation drive is aimed at identifying the very best talents across the grassroots, noting that the directive was issued through the Commissioner for Sports to all Local Government Areas to ensure only top-quality athletes are registered for the state trials.
He further revealed that the committee is working closely with the 17 accredited state sports associations and their coaches to guarantee a transparent and successful scouting process.
“We in the State Liaison Committee have been working with recognised sports associations, and we have appealed to all Local Government Areas to ensure the prompt registration of eligible athletes to guarantee full representation for the state,” Onyeocha told NDG Media.
Concluding, he reaffirmed Imo State’s readiness for the Games, stating that young talents from across the state have already been identified and mobilised as part of early preparations.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, final preparations officially began yesterday, January 15,as Team Edo commenced athletes’ trials, starting with the athletics association.
The trials, held at the track and field arena in Benin City, saw athletes and coaches take to action in the early hours of the day.
Events competed for included the 100m, 200m and 400m races, long jump, triple jump, high jump, javelin, discus and hammer throw. Both newly discovered athletes and established performers participated, expressing confidence and determination to win gold medals for the host state.
Athletes such as Emmanuel Shakamomodu (Javelin), Ibrahim Haamidu (Long Jump) and Jennifer Osemwengie (Women’s Long Jump) described their preparations as intense, adding that the involvement of the organisers and sponsors—Dunamis Icons Ltd and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)—serves as a major source of motivation.
Head Coach of the Edo State Athletics Association, Thadeus Omodiale, expressed satisfaction with the trials, declaring that his association is already far ahead in preparations.
“We are ninety percent ready for the Niger Delta Games. We started the trials today and it went well. We already know those that can deliver,” Omodiale said.
“We know our athletes’ capacity and capability, but the trials were necessary as it will enable us to select the athletes properly. We are beginning full training on Monday as part of the final preparation for the Games.”
Also speaking, the Director of Sports Development and Operations, Pastor Osayomore Aghahowa, confirmed Edo State’s readiness, noting that athlete registration has been concluded and trials will continue into the coming week.
With Imo State intensifying grassroots scouting and host Edo State fine-tuning its athletes through competitive trials, expectations are high that the 2nd Niger Delta Games will showcase improved performances, fresh talents and intense competition across the participating states.
As the build up to the 2ndNiger Delta Games, Edo 2026 continues across the region, Team Delta has vowed to avoid the mistakes which cost them the title on last day of competition at the maiden edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last year.
At the end of the contests in Uyo, last April, Bayelsa came from behind to snatch the title, winning 42 gold against Team Delta’s 41 gold medals.
Delta athletes and officials were already looking forward to be crowned champions in Uyo after leading the table with most total medals of 99 medals (41 gold, 26 silver, 32 bronze) before Bayelsa struck, topping the table with 42 gold, 29 silver, 15 bronze. Team Edo finished third with 23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze.
With focus now on Benin City, Edo State, for the second edition, between February 20 and 27, Team Delta is optimistic of winning the crown.
This year’s edition is featuring over 3,000 U-20 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states. They will compete in 17 sports to discover and develop regional talent, promising an even grander event, which according to the organisers, will surpass the success recorded at Uyo 2025 Games.
An official of Team Delta, Festus Ohwojero, who is the Executive Assistant on Sports to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, said that the state is doing everything to correct the mistakes noticed at Uyo 2025.
“We lost the title last year in Uyo by one gold medal, and our athletes and coaches are working hard to ensure such does not happen again as we prepare for Benin City 2026,” he stated.
Ohwojero, who is the immediate past Director General of Delta Sports Commission, further stated that Team Delta athletes and officials are not under any form of pressure ahead the Games, adding: “I am sure they will get it right this time.”
The Niger Delta Games is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission while Dunamis-Icon Limited owns the franchise.
Cross River State sports authorities may have made major breakthrough in talents discovery as the State’s trials for the 2nd Niger Delta Games berthed in the central senatorial district.
Organised by the Liaison Committee members of the NDG in conjunction with the Cross River State Sports Commission led by Lawrence Etta, the trials serve to select athletes that will participate in the state finals to pick those who will represent the state at the games.
“The trials for the Games has continued to ignite hope and inspiration among young sporting talents in both the urban and rural communities in Cross River State.
“The competition’s talent discovery drive has recorded remarkable success, particularly within the Central Senatorial District” remarked Ettah
He said the initiative has brought together promising young athletes from diverse local governments and villages—many of whom are experiencing organized sports exposure for the very first time.
“The ongoing talent hunt has not only uncovered raw and exceptional abilities but has also created unforgettable moments of joy and motivation for future champions.
“For several participants, the exercise marks their first opportunity to leave their immediate communities, interact with peers from other areas, and dream beyond their local environment”, Ettah told NDG Media.
Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo(KSM), was impressed by the report and said it has captured a cardinal essence of organising the Games.
“This is primarily one of the reasons for the Games, providing opportunities for those in the hinterland to compete and put their talents to use in sports.
“We want to provide a platform for every youth in the Niger Delta region to find expression for their raw skills and perhaps become a national and international champion,” Ikpokpo stated.
The initiative has drawn widespread commendation from athletes, community leaders, and sports stakeholders, who praised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dunamis-Icon Limited and the Cross River State Government for their commitment to youth empowerment through sports. They also described the programme as a timely and innovative platform capable of reshaping the future of sports in the region.
Members of the state liaison committee include Queen Gladys Igut, the Secretary, Mrs Rosemary Usang, the Director of Sports, Ettah Emmanuel, the Head of Media and Publicity and David Enwa.
Preparations for the 2ndNiger Delta Games, Benin 2026, is already underway with Abia and Imo States setting up their Liaison Committees and ensuring athlete selection and compliance with regulations.
Harrison Ocholor, the Secretary of the Delta State Liaison Committee , met with the Coaches on Tuesday and urged them to ensure that only the best athletes were selected to represent the state from a fair and competitive state’s trials.
Ocholor told the coaches that the organizers of the Games, Dunamis Icon Limited and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has left no stone unturned in ensuring the process of selecting talents for the games followed the rules and regulations.
He enjoined them to study and make effective use of the technical booklet for the games issued to the coaches during the meeting.
In Abia State, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, the Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, inaugurated the State’s Liaison Committee and challenged them to implement all schedules of the games from athletes registration to local government and state trials.
Represented by the Project Director, Fred Edoreh, Ikpokpo emphasised the importance of abiding by the regulations set forth for the games and warned that “age cheat and failure to present the required number of athletes for each sport will lead to disqualification of any offending state”.
Abia State Commissioner of Sports, Hon Ananaba Nwaobilor, assured that the state is in tandem with the objectives, rules and regulations of the Niger Delta Games and would go the extra mile to maintain, promote and defend them.
Nwaobilor who spoke at the Aba Sports Club in Aba, described the games as having added impetus to the Governor Alex Otti-led government to use sports as an instrument for the emancipation of the state’s talented youths.
The Abia State Liaison Committee for the 2nd Niger Delta Games is chaired by the Commissioner of Sports, Hon Nwaobilor, with Hon Onyebuchi Chukwu as Secretary.
Comrade Obioma George, Director of Sports and Kingsley Kanu, Abia State’s interim SWAN Chairman as members.
In Owerri, where the Imo State Liaison Committee was inaugurated at the office of the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Ikpokpo, the Atanaru of Irri Kingdom, also harped on the age limit for athletes and charged members of the committee to ensure massive mobilisation and timely registration of athletes on the Games’ official portal, stressing that only duly registered athletes would be cleared to participate. Ikpokpo was again, represented by Edoreh, the Project Director.
In his remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating and sustaining the Games for two consecutive years, describing the championship as a credible platform for talent discovery and development in the region.
Hon. Onyeocha noted that the Niger Delta Games align perfectly with the sports development vision of the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, assuring that Imo State is fully prepared to participate and comply with all rules and regulations guiding the competition.
“It is the mandate of His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, for us to go to the grassroots to discover talents, and these Games have come to help us achieve exactly that,” Onyeocha said. “On behalf of the committee, I assure you that we will insist on quality, thoroughness, discipline and total compliance.”
The Imo State Liaison Committee is chaired by Onyeocha, with Hon. Willie Okolieogwo serving as secretary. Other members include the Director of Sports, Lady Justina Akpulo, and Kennedy Onwunali.
Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Lawrence Itanya, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for supporting young sports men and women in the region through the Niger Delta Games.
Itanya applauded the initiative while receiving the representative of Dunamis Icon Limited, the project consultants, and expressed the state’s readiness to take advantage of the games to identify and groom young athletes.
“On behalf of his excellency, apostle prince Bassey Edet Otu, and the good people of cross river state, i welcome you to the carnival city of Calabar. we deeply appreciate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon for initiating an innovative platform designed to discover, nurture, and project young sporting talents from the Niger Delta Region to the global stage,” Itanya said while receiving Fred Edoreh, the project director who represented the chairman of Dunamis Icon, sir Itiako Ikpokpo (KSM), at the inauguration of the state liaison committee on Monday.
preparations for the games has evidently heightened as sporting facilities, including the Olympic-standard swimming pool has been renovated.
The cross river state liaison committee will be led by Itanya, who will oversee the coordination of the state’s preparations and participation ahead of the Edo 2026 games.
Members of the committee include Hon. Queen Gladys Igut (Commissioner ), Mrs. Rosemary Usang (Director, Sports Commission), Mr. Ettah Emmanuel O. (Media Coordinator) and Mr. David Enwa (Assistant Stadium Manager).
speaking during the ceremony, Edoreh thanked the government of Cross River State for the warm reception and support.
He formally inducted members of the liaison committee and outlined their responsibilities, noting that the committee is to work closely with the Cross River State sports commission to coordinate pre-games activities, including grassroots talent discovery, athlete screening, and logistical planning ahead of the games proper.
The ancient city of Calabar, widely celebrated as the birthplace of football and several other sports in Nigeria, has once again assumed a prominent position in national sports development as preparations gather momentum for the 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games, Edo 2026.
The inauguration represents a significant milestone in the build-up to what is projected to be one of Nigeria’s biggest and most exciting sporting events.
The official inauguration at the Olympic-standard swimming pool underscores Cross River State’s commitment to sports excellence and grassroots development, while reaffirming the collective resolve of all stakeholders to ensure a successful outing at the 2nd Niger Delta Games.
The major objective of the Niger Delta Games is to discover and groom potential podium athletes to reposition the region, not only to sustain its supremacy in national competitions, but to assist in securing the future of Nigerian sports, and empower athletes to attain gainful professional careers in domestic and international sports.
Sir Itiako Ikpokpo KSM, Managing Director of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the games made this clarification, Wednesday in Lagos at the official press unveiling of the 2nd edition of the games.
“Part of the process is by getting down to the grassroots to inspire interest and participation in various sports disciplines, and strengthening eligibility rules to curb issues like age cheating and poaching across states, and encourage states to invest in sports infrastructure”, Ikpokpo explained. “Critical to the task is the need for competitions which provides the platform for athletes to showcase their talents. This is what the NDDC is doing by sponsoring the games.”
He emphasised that Dunamis-Icon and NDDC do not intend to own athletes, and therefore challenged the states in the region to take advantage of the opportunity provided through the games to nurture and harness the talents that are discovered.
“The states of the Niger Delta have a duty to harness those talents identified at the games. On our part, we have identified over 600 athletes with potentials and it is left for them to work to help the athletes realise their full potentials, ” Ikpokpo who also chairs the board of the Delta State Athletics Association declared.
He said that each of the nine participating states would present equal 270 athletes to compete in the 17 sports disciplines to be featured in the games.
Ikpokpo echoed earlier assurances of the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Alabo Boma Iyaye, that the 2nd Niger Delta Games would be more impactful than the first edition.
“Uyo has been acclaimed very successful, but I must admit that it was not perfect. We are going to build on the successes and deliver a more efficient second edition,” he promised.
He disclosed that the event would be held from February 20th to 27th , 2026, and commended the host, Edo State, for the availability of needed sports infrastructure, and it’s maintenance of the iconic Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, amongst others.
In company of Ikpokpo at the press unveiling were Fred Edoreh, the Project Director, Harry Iwuala, head of Communications and publicity, Edi Lawani, head of Culture and Entertainment, Godwin Enakhena, Chairman of the Scouting and Mentorship Committee, and Onome Obrhute, head Special Duties.
The 2026 edition of Niger Delta Games will record a greater success than the much celebrated inaugural edition held this year. .
This assurance was given by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Alabo Boma Iyaye, during the inauguration of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Edo 2026 at the NDDD Head Office, Eastern Bypass, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, December 9th.
He lauded members of both committees who were largely retained after they did “absolutely very well” in delivering a one-of-its-kind Games in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state last April.
He said: “We did absolutely very well at the first edition. There were cheers from the entire country, there was a celebration, and there was huge applause, simply because we brought the entire Niger Delta region together.
“We brought happiness and excitement to our region. We harnessed talents beyond oil production beyond what we are known for. We gave opportunities to the young ones and empowered them.”
The former Rivers State Commissioner for Sports then urged members of the Committees to use the next edition of the Niger Delta Games to advance the objectives of putting together the multi-sport event.
“I assure you 2026 will be bigger than 2025. Therefore, another opportunity has come for all of us to put in our best so that we will not just be celebrating another games, but we will achieve our objectives.
“We want to give opportunities for youths to compete and engage them through the power of sports so that they can become champions tomorrow,” added Iyaye.
The 23-man Main Organising Committee is co-chaired by Iyaye himself and the Project Consultant, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, (KSM) and has all Sports Commissioners in the nine NDDC states as well as erudite sports technocrats on board.
Speaking on behalf of the Sports Commissioners, Bayelsa State’s Commissioner for Sports and a former Olympics gold medallist, Daniel Igali said the Niger Delta region, through the NDDC, has now taken a lead in sports development which other regions are following.
“As a development commission, it appears we have taken a lead in the area of sports development, and other regions are struggling to catch up.
“We are hoping that the second edition will be better, we are hoping that it will be more memorable; and as the years go on, that we will continue to develop sports and promote the aspirations of Niger Deltans,” Igali noted.
Ikpokpo, in a vote of thanks, applauded the NDDC for supporting the project, which has provided opportunities for youths in the region to find expression for their talents, and promised that through the games, “Nigeria’s next champions will be produced.
Ikpokpo said 17 games will also be competed for, declaring that: “We have put in measures to curb any form of cheating. We also would make sure that athletes’ buying is stopped such that only those from the region will represent their states. “
Edo 2026 is scheduled to commence on February 20 and run until February 27 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, and other top sporting facilities in the Edo state.
Consistent with its project execution routine, Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting right to Edo State was performed. The project management team was guided round select facility locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, and the team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host.
“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3000 athletes coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5000. So, we need facilities that work for the games, “Ikpokpo explained.
He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some of the facilities as may be necessary to ensure good competition experience for the athletes.
“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities”.
Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and identifying and grooming talented youths from the region into national and international stars.
The NDDC as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.
The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office.
Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.
Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre being listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.
In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke. Others are Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat, Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting, Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.
The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.
