Imo State advances plan for U-25 Niger Delta Sports festival
Photo : Hon. Evaristus Onyeocha, Imo State Commissioner for Sports (red cap on top white) with members of the LOC shortly after the World Press Conference. Pix by Wilson
From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
There are serious indications that Imo State government is advancing plans for her contingent’s strong participation in the forthcoming maiden U-25 Niger Delta Sports Festival holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital between April 1st – 8th April, 2025.
Hon. Evaristus Onyeocha , the Imo State Commissioner for Sports disclosed this on Tuesday during a world press conference organized with the State’s 10-Man Local Organizing Committee at the VIP Mini Conference Hall of Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Onyeocha recalled that, the Niger Delta Sports Festival Is a flagship sports development program of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in partnership with the Dunanis Icon Limited as the consultants.
“The festival; a first of its kind under the mandate of the NDDC shall be among the States and indigenes of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria only, and shall run between the 1st and 8th Of April, 2025.
“Over 3000 athletes, 600 coaches and Technical Officials, as well as 300 Media Practitioners shall be converging in the city of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital for this event. Imo State is among the Nine Mandate States of the NDDC participating in this competition.
“The objective of this event, according to the NDDC, includes to support the realization of the development agenda of the Federal Government, the Renewed Hope Initiative Of His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the mandate of the NDDC on human capital development.
“To continuously oil the mill of talent discovery, grooming and building of National and international athletes from the Niger Delta region, as well as expanding access to sports and sporting facilities across the region among many other positive impacts it will have” he assured.
The Commissioner pointed out that, as the State’s Local Organizing Committee, the onus lies on them to assist the NDDC in realizing its set objectives through the sporting events, as well as aligning with the vision of Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma through his 3R agenda for the accelerated development and transformation of Sports in the State.
He further said that, Imo State, as one of the mandate states of the NDDC shall be attending the festival in Uyo.
The Commissioner further informed that most of the interested participants have registered online as directed, over 600 U-25 athletes drawn from the grassroot of the 27 LGAs.
Onyeocha expressed optimism that the State athletes would be participating in all the 17 featured Sports at the festival which are; Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cheese, Football, Handball, and Para-Athletics.
Other sporting events includes; Para-Powerlifting, Scrabble, Swimming,Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball,Weightlifting, Traditional Wrestling, and Wrestling, even as the State trials will be by 8 am on 4th of March at Dan Anyiam Stadium Complex.
The Sports Administrator also opined that the Online registration is still ongoing for intending participants and athletes for the Festival has since commenced in Imo State.
“Participants and athletes Under 25 years of age are already registering Online at: https://nigerdeltasportfestival.com/. They can also go for physical capture at the Office of the Director of Sports, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, or better still, contact their Sports Secretaries at their various Local Government Headquarters.
“Registrations are ongoing and close on March 7th. So, we still have about two weeks more to spend. Rush now to register to become a star.
“Similarly, State trials for all the mentioned Sports have been fixed for Tuesday, March 4th, 2025. Venue is at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
“Coaches from the 27 LGAs of Imo State, with their athletes are requested to be at the Owerri venue before 9.00am on that day.
“The Imo State’s Open Camp Begins On 17th March to 23rd, 2025 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, while the Closed Camp begins on 24th till decamping on the 30th of March, 2025. Departure to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State shall be on the 1st of April, 2025.
He applauded Governor Uzodimma for his administration’s tremendous support towards sports development and transformation as well as the Local Government Executive Chairmen under the auspices of ALGON for their immense support for the program at the grassroots.
The Commissioner also appreciated the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Rubby Emele for her positive inputs that ensured the committee to have penetrated all the LGAs in the State through her office, as well as the State SWAN, members for their assistance in disseminating the needed information.
