NDDC set for maiden Niger-Delta sports festival

  




The Chief Consultant at Dunamis Icon, Itiako Ikpokpo, has announced that no fewer than 3,000 indigenous athletes in the Niger-Delta region are expected to showcase their talents at the first edition of the Niger-Delta Sports Festival.


Ikpokpo, who made the disclosure in Lagos on Saturday, said the festival became necessary as a result of the backdrop of top athletes in the region, which prompted the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to engage its youth through sport.


The festival is scheduled for April 1 to 19 at the 30,000 capacity Godwill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.


Athletes are expected to participate in a total of 17 sports that include Football, Basketball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Canoeing, Boxing, Athletics, Para-Powerlifting, Para-Athletics, Swimming, Scrabble, Chess.


Others are Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Handball.


"I have been around sports for a while and that endeared me to understanding the dynamics of some of the issues around sports development in Nigeria. We thankful that the NDDC are throwing their weight behind this partnership," Ikpokpo said.


"I come from a region, like some of us here, where a lot of talent exists, depending on your argument, you could say that in the last 50 years or so Niger Delta has produced all the best talent in this country, the NDDC said it's about time we changed that.


"I'm not going to present it in 2016, 2017, or 2050, but we know that in the last 7 or 8 years, people from all over the world have been inspired by sports. But, you will also agree with me that people who love sports are generally pro-life.


"There has been a dearth in the production of athletes in my region. That basically led to our journey with NDDC, to come up with this project. I would say that, beyond me.


"Because, how do we replace the top athletes that are aging take for instance Blessings Okagbare, the pressure was too much on her. If we don't begin to nurture new talents, if we don't begin to develop new talent who can prepare for the next 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 years. And so, with his convictions and understanding of why we need to get this done.


"Most people will refer to sports as a social term, but we all know that sports is a big business."


On the modalities of sports festival, Ikpokpo said that subsequent editions will be dependent on the success of this maiden edition.


"The success of this edition will lay foundation for subsequent editions, we decided to select 17 sports, in subsequent edition we will include more, this is to ensure that we have fair chances of producing representation in virtually all sporting events.


"The host state and the eventual winner of the first edition will have a legacy project, which will be chosen at the end of the competition."


Ikpokpo further said that trials for the 2026 edition may hold in November this year to avoid clashing with other festivals.

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