NDDC Chairman Sees Bright Future for Niger Delta Games Athletes

A simple meeting turned into a big conversation about the future of sports in the Niger Delta when the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chiedu Ebie, met with organisers of the Niger Delta Games.

Ebie made a brief stop at a review retreat organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited for key officials planning the second edition of the Games. The session was aimed at looking back at the first edition and mapping out better plans for the future.

Speaking during the meeting, Ebie said the NDDC wants the Niger Delta Games to become a lasting project that will shape the future of sports in the region. According to him, the vision is to see athletes discovered at the Games go on to represent Nigeria at major international competitions.

“The Board of the NDDC, we want to make the Games our legacy project, such that there will come a time in the future when we can have athletes from the Niger Delta Games representing Nigeria at international events such as the Olympics,” Ebie said.

He praised the organisers for taking time to review past editions, noting that such sessions are important if the Games are to grow and remain relevant. Ebie explained that reviewing performances helps to identify and fix weaknesses while building on areas of strength.

Earlier, the Managing Consultant of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, said the retreat was organised to improve on the first edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He explained that the goal was to ask tough questions and make the next Games richer and better organised.

“We are working to connect the dots, ask ourselves hard questions and see how we will organise a richer Games,” Ikpokpo said.

Also present at the meeting was the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon Desmond Amadin Enabulele, who assured the organisers of Edo State’s support towards a successful event.

The second edition of the Niger Delta Games is scheduled to hold from February 20 to 27 and will feature athletes from the nine states in the Niger Delta region.