Edith CHUKU
No fewer than 3,000 athletes are expected to participate in the 2026 edition of Niger Delta Games, which would kick-off on Friday.
The Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Alabo Boma Iyaye, stated this during a media interaction in Port Harcourt.
Iyaye, who is also the Chairman, Main Organising Committee of the Niger Delta games assured that all logistics were ready for the kick-off.
He revealed that the committee was building on the successes recorded during the maiden edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to achieve a bigger and better edition this year.
According to Iyaye, “the Niger Delta Games made history as the first regional sports festival in Nigeria, conceived primarily as a platform for talent discovery and development.
“The initiative aligns with the Commission’s commitment to empowering youths and promoting positive engagement across the Niger Delta region. The major objective of the Niger Delta Games is talent discovery.
“This event provides a rare opportunity for young athletes to showcase their abilities, launch themselves into the global stage, and begin structured pathways to professional sports careers.”
He assured that all arrangements had been concluded to ensure a smooth and successful event, while emphasising that officiating would be conducted with the highest level of integrity, guaranteeing fairness and equal opportunity for all participants.
The chairman further stressed the role of sports as a powerful tool for social development, noting that organised sporting activities help redirect young minds away from crime.
“Our region is blessed with abundant raw talents, found in the creeks and on the streets of the Niger Delta. These Games provide a platform to harness such talents from the grassroots and bring them into the limelight,” he added.
Iyaye stated that the first edition of the games in Uyo brought peace and togetherness to the region, giving youths the platform to showcase their talents. He said that the games in Edo would further consolidate the gains made so far and provide more young people with opportunities to discover their innate talents.
Beyond sports competition, Iyaye disclosed that the event would also celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Niger Delta, with cultural displays integrated into the games.
