NDG Edo 2026: Team Akwa Ibom Completes Athletes’ Screening Ahead of Niger Delta Games
A total of 270 athletes selected to represent Akwa Ibom State at the 2026 Niger Delta Games in Edo State have successfully completed a screening exercise in line with approved competition rules.
According to the Information/PR Unit, Ministry of Sports, Akwa Ibom State, the screening was held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. It was organised to ensure eligibility, transparency and fair play among athletes from the nine Niger Delta states that will take part in the Games, scheduled for February 20 to 27, 2026.
Speaking during the exercise, Chairman of the NDG Screening Team, Sir Braveman Wordi, said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in partnership with Dunamis Icon Ltd, organised the Games to boost grassroots sports and discover young talents who can compete at national and international levels.
He explained that the Games are part of the NDDC’s wider plan to develop human capacity beyond the oil and gas sector, with sports identified as a key tool for youth empowerment in the region.
Sir Wordi listed the eligibility requirements, stating that athletes must be 19 years and below, must be indigenes of the states they represent, and must be properly registered in a verifiable database. He urged coaches to focus on long-term athlete development rather than short-term medal targets, adding that the screening was an important step towards a successful outing at the Games.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, he praised the organisation and discipline of the athletes and coaches, describing the process as transparent and in line with standard sports administration practices.
“I am impressed with the high level of organisation and discipline among the athletes and coaches,” he said. “I commend the organisers, Dunamis Icon Ltd, for putting together this competition. It is important in preparing young talents from the region for national and international opportunities.”
In a related development, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, who also chairs the state’s NDG Liaison Committee, earlier met with NDG officials and stressed strict compliance with competition rules and proper documentation of athletes.
He warned that any breach of the Games’ regulations would lead to outright disqualification, but expressed confidence that with strong government support and proper preparation, Team Akwa Ibom would perform well and make the state proud.
Team Akwa Ibom is expected to begin camping on February 17 and 18, 2026, to improve fitness and readiness ahead of the Games.
The screening delegation was received by Elder Paul Bassey, members of the NDG Liaison Committee, 46 officials, directors from the Ministry of Sports, and members of the media.
