Niger Delta Games: Team Edo Begins Athletes Trials from LGAs

Edo State, Wednesday,formally commenced trials of Athletes for final selection to represent the state at the second edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival scheduled to hold from 20th -27th of February,2026, with the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, commending the technical team and athletes for their commitments and patriotism so far.

The Edo State Sports Commission boss who visited Akoko-Edo, Auchi, Uromi and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas centers for the athletes’trials, expressed satisfaction with the turn out of Athletes and enthusiasts at various centers and
declared that the state is fully ready for the regional sports fiesta.

Hon Enabulele, who is incidentally the Chairman of the state Liaison Committee stated that Edo is in the full mode of preparation with the commencement of athletes’ trials at the local government areas and expected to be rounded off at the state level on February 12 with close camping to follow immediately.

Hon Amadin Enabulele who expressed confidence in Edo State’s capacity to host a seamless 2026 Niger Delta Games in Benin, urged coaches and technical officials to do a thorough job in the trials process with a view to selecting the best athletes within the age bracket of U-20 that will bring glory to the state.

“We are fully prepared to host the rest of Niger Delta region and we are going to play by the rules of the games set by the organisers. The trials started today and I decided to visit some of the areas without any notice after our retreat in Irua and I am happy with what is on the ground. The response is commendable.”. He said.

Weightlifting, Handball, volleyball, Chess and athletics were some of the events that kicked off their trials on Wednesday.

According to coach Ayo in the athletics Association and Ikponmwosa Omoroghomwan of Weightlifting, the release of the final list of the athletes to represent the state will be done between Friday and Tuesday when the process must have been concluded.

” We are already sure of some athletes at the state level but we still have to wait till the local government screening exercise is completed because some of the raw talents from the rural areas have been very impressive and we are sure some can do something wonderful.” Coach Ikponmwosa said

The trials continue on Thursday as many other sports association expected to begin work as scheduled.

The festival is expected to feature over 3,000 athletes with about 500 coaches and technical officials with competitions across 17 sporting events.