Niger Delta Games To Accommodate More Sports In Next Edition- Ikpokpo

Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Dunamis Icon Limited, the lead consultant and organizers of annual Niger Delta Games Sir. Itiako Ikpokpo said that they’re considering increasing the number of sports in the tournament to 21 during the next edition just as he stressed that the organisers are not interested in winning but talents discovery.

The Games is presently going on in Benin City, the Edo State capital with action in 16 sports.

Addressing the Press Tuesday at the Media Centre of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, he noted that the decision to increase the number, depends on their popularity in the region.

“Our plan is to give opportunity to athletes of all sports to be part of the Games. You’ll notice that this year, we removed canoeing because the equipments are not in any of the participating states but in Lagos and Abuja. We then brought in Taekwondo , So we’ll definitely consider increasing the number of sports but we will also consider how popular that sports is in the Niger Delta region.

Speaking further, he stated that one of the lasting legacies he wants to put in place is to make sure that athletes are comfortable which necessitated the use of Benson Idahosa University as the Games village.

“The idea of the Niger Delta Games is not to win at all cost but to discover hidden talents in the region. We also want to leave a lasting legacy that things can be done right and athletes welfare not to be toiled with.

“It was in view of this that we are using Benson Idahosa University as our Games village. The beauty of this decision is that all the athletes and coaches are camped in one place which brings about good bounding “, he noted

He also spoke about the importance of going back to school sports and charged the various state governments to provide adequate funding for coaches to enable them engage in serious grassroots talent hunt.

Ikpokpo while expressing happiness with the seamless organisation of the Games advised participating states to monitor the development of athletes discovered in their states to enable them rise to the pinnacle of their career.

” You will all agree with me that the Games is going on smoothly without any hitch. The screening committee did a good job and the rules are being applied without and bias and that’s the only way to grow our sports.

Justifying why the age limit was reduced from U-25 allowed last year to U-20, he explained that it has given room for a number of young athletes to be discovered just as he reminded Nigerians that some of the athletes that took part in the maiden edition of the Games participated at last year’s National Sports Festival where they won medals.

” The decision to reduce the participating age is already yielding result. One of the girls that won gold medal this year is 13 years old. She participated last year and came last but participating with her peers, she now won gold which is a good development for the Games.

Ikpokpo also used the opportunity to commend Journalists for their support, urging them not to relent in their reportage of the tournament