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‎The Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has expressed optimism that the Niger Delta Games could become a fertile breeding ground for athletes who will one day represent Nigeria at major international sporting events.
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‎Ebie made this assertion during a brief stopover at a retreat organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited for key stakeholders involved in the planning of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games. He endorsed the idea of periodic review sessions, describing them as critical to strengthening the Games and ensuring long-term success.
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‎According to him, the NDDC Board is committed to making the Niger Delta Games a lasting legacy project capable of discovering and nurturing talents for global competitions such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and the All Africa Games.
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‎“We want to get to a point where athletes discovered through the Niger Delta Games will be flying Nigeria’s flag at major international events.
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‎That is the future we are working towards,” Ebie said while addressing members of the Main Organising Committee and Local Organising Committee.
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‎‎CommendingCommending the organisers, Ebie, a former Secretary to the Delta State Government, stressed the importance of structured evaluations in building a sustainable sporting platform.
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‎He noted that regular reviews would help identify gaps, correct shortcomings and deepen the institutional framework of the Games.
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‎In his welcome address, the Managing Consultant of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, KSM, explained that the retreat was the second of its kind, aimed at reviewing the maiden edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with a view to improving overall delivery.
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‎“We are deliberately connecting the dots, asking hard questions and working towards staging a richer and more impactful Games.”
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‎Also speaking, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele, reaffirmed Edo State’s commitment to supporting the organisers to ensure a memorable second edition of the regional sporting festival.
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‎The second Niger Delta Games is scheduled to hold from February 20 to 27 and will feature athletes from the nine states that make up the Niger Delta region.