Itiako Ikpokpo, Chairman Dunamis ICON Ltd.
• We want to re-enact the spirit of grassroots sports organisers say
•Vow to eradicate age cheats
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
Preparations for the second edition of the Niger Delta Games scheduled to hold in Benin, Edo State from 20 to 27 February, 2026 is on top gear, organisers have assured.
The first edition was held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last year.
A cross section of journalists at the briefing on Wednesday, 21 Jan. 2026
Addressing journalists in Benin, Edo State Capital on Wednesday, organisers said the games are geared towards reigniting the spirit of grassroots sports in the Niger Delta region, producing the young ones for tomorrow.
Itiako Ikpokpo on behalf of the organisers; ‘Dunamis Icons Ltd’ in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) noted that a void has been created over the years owing to abandonment of grassroots sports; avenue of discovering young athletes in their raw state.
Hence, the NDDC under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku PhD felt it was time to invest in sports in the Niger Delta region, he said.
Adding, that the region in the last 60 years has produced some of the best sports men in Nigeria but sadly, there has not been a turnover of young ones to sustain the legacy.
With an incessant excuse of lack of funding and opportunity as reason across the region.
A situation the organisers noted, has created room for poaching and buying of the region’s best athletes by other States.
“This we believe is wrong and unacceptable because every community in the nine States of the region, have people who could be groomed to represent the nation internationally.”
Sustaining set standards for credible games
The organisers say the already set high standards for the games, would not be compromised hence the age limit for participation has been brought down from 25 to 20 years.
“This is very important considering the games are to discover young talents for the future in the region.”
Therefore, the mechanisms to checkmate this age long menace in sports has been perfected and would be effectively deployed, the organisers asserts.
With emphasis on the need for the revival and sustenance of grassroots sports where the raw talents are hidden.
“Grassroots sports are at the Local Government level and until we go back there, we will not feel the vibes like we used to have.
“Age cheating encourages drug addiction in sports because of wanting to enhance performance.
“…We want to curb all of that using the Niger Delta games as a focus” the organisers stated; stressing, that beginning from the edition in Edo, only the real athletes owned by the States will be allowed to participate.
Pointing out that everyone is complicit in the menace of age cheating in sports, the organisers said it is proper to call it what it is; as it will not be business as usual!
The organisers reiterated, “the reality is that we must go back to school sports, all the champions you see around the world come from schools.”
On the monetary gains of sports; the organisers said: we need to elevate the conversation on the way things are done, as there is a lot of money waiting to be harvested.
However, training an athlete is not cheap, the organisers acknowledged while urging more funding in sports.
About 2,880 athletes including officials and supporting staff members; 320 per State are expected to converge on Benin in February.
With the multiplier effect of bolstering the economy of the State.
The athletes will be competing for honours in 17 various sports in the games which includes; football, taekwondo, judo, basketball and others, it was said.
Itiako Ikpokpo (4th from R) with journalists in Benin
With Ikpokpo at the media briefing were the Project Director of the Niger Delta Games, Fred Edore, a veteran journalist and Eddy Lawani, an entertainment guru in Nigeria.
