Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, has expressed strong belief that athletes discovered through the Niger Delta Games could one day go on to represent Nigeria at major international competitions, including the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and the All Africa Games.
Ebie made the remarks during a brief stop at a retreat organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited for key stakeholders involved in planning the second edition of the Niger Delta Games. The session brought together members of both the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee to reflect on past experiences and plan ahead.
What began as a review meeting quickly turned into a conversation about dreams, legacy and the future of sports in the Niger Delta.
According to Ebie, the vision of the NDDC Board is to build the Games into a lasting project that will continue to produce sporting talents for the country.
“The Board of the NDDC wants to make the Games our legacy project, such that there will come a time in the future when athletes from the Niger Delta Games will represent Nigeria at international events like the Olympics,” he told participants.
He praised Dunamis-Icon Limited for insisting on review sessions, describing them as essential to building a strong and sustainable sporting event.
“When you want to institutionalise an event like this, you must take time to review what has been done, identify gaps and close them,” Ebie said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Managing Consultant of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, explained that the retreat was the second of its kind. He said the aim was to study the last Games held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, correct observed shortcomings and raise the standard for the next edition.
“We are trying to connect the dots, ask ourselves difficult questions and see how we can organise better and richer Games,” Ikpokpo stated.
The meeting also had the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele, in attendance. He reaffirmed Edo State’s support for the organisers and their efforts to deliver a successful event.
The second edition of the Niger Delta Games is scheduled to take place from February 20 to 27 and will feature athletes from the nine states in the Niger Delta region.
