NDDC Sports Festival Kicks Off on April 1 in Uyo
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to host the first-ever regional sports festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, starting on April 1. The event will bring together athletes, coaches, and officials from the nine states that make up the NDDC region.
The festival, organised to discover and nurture local sporting talents, will also leave a lasting impact on Uyo’s sports facilities. The NDDC has renovated key venues, including the Olympic-sized swimming pool at Uyo Township Stadium, the tartan tracks at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, basketball and volleyball courts, and hostel accommodations at Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, Itam West Secondary School, and Cornelia Colly Girls’ School. The upgrade of these facilities benefits both athletes and the host city.
The Niger Delta is known for producing top Nigerian athletes, including boxing legends Dick Tiger and Hogan Bassey, football stars like Nwankwo Kanu and Austin Okocha, and Olympic gold medalists such as Chioma Ajunwa and Enefiok Udo-Obong. However, in recent years, the region’s sporting achievements have declined. The NDDC hopes to restore its former glory by using the festival as a platform to promote youth participation in sports.
Alabo Boma Iyaye, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, praised the level of preparation, stating, “We know that the Niger Delta has produced many of Nigeria’s best athletes, but we have also seen a decline in our sporting success. As an intervention agency, the NDDC is stepping in to provide opportunities for young talents and show that the Niger Delta is more than just about oil. This is why the festival’s theme is ‘Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents.’”
The festival will take place at multiple venues, including the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, West Itam Sports Centre, Ultra Fit Sports Centre, the Uyo Township Stadium swimming pool, and Cordelia Connely College. Athletes between the ages of 16 and 25 from the Niger Delta region will compete in various sports, and measures are in place to prevent age cheating.
A team of experienced coaches and scouts will oversee the talent discovery process. Olympian Gabriel Okon will lead the athletics scouting team, while Anthony Konyegwachie will head the boxing selection. Other experts include national volleyball coach Rakiya Mohammed, basketball scout Owhe John, swimming coach Emmanuel Emefuna, and international football scout Paul Omonoma.
Nigeria Football Federation executive board member Aisha Falode, the festival’s media consultant, highlighted the event’s significance. “The Niger Delta has always been a powerhouse of sports talent in Nigeria. This festival is not just about winning medals; it is a platform for unity, progress, and recognising the region’s potential.”
The NDDC Sports Festival is expected to revive interest in sports across the Niger Delta, providing a new generation of athletes with opportunities to compete at national and international levels. The region, once dominant in Nigerian sports, is now on a path to reclaim its status as a breeding ground for top athletes.
