IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Expectedly, the trials for Delta State contingent to the 2nd Niger Delta Games drew a huge number of athletes to Asaba, the state capital.

This year’s edition of the Games, organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited for the nine states that make up the region under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will hold in Benin City, Edo State from February 20 to 27.

Last year in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Team Delta was beaten to the title by Bayelsa State with the odd gold medal on the last day of competition.

This time around, Team Delta do not seem prepared to leave anything to chance.

On Wednesday, due to the large turn out of athletes, Team Delta officials decided to split the scheduled trials into two phases, with the first phase running from Friday, February 6 to February 8.

The Chairman, Delta Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborievwori, stated on Wednesday that the final trials will run from February 9 to 11.

“After these two phases of the trials, our athletes will begin main camping for the Niger Delta Games on February 12. At the moment, we have 374 athletes and 51 officials set for this trials. Our athletes will be camped in various locations in Asaba, and they will depart for Benin City on February 19,” Oborevwori stated.

Meanwhile, the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Sports, Festus Ohwojero, has praised the leadership of Delta Sports Commission for the various steps taken, particularly on welfare of athletes and officials ahead of the Games.

Ohwojero, who is the immediate past Director General of Delta Sports Commission, said he is optimistic of Team Delta topping the medals table at the end of the Games in Benin City on February 27.

Among the sports expected to feature in Team Delta’s trials include athletics, chess, table tennis, tennis, scrabble, handball, wrestling, football, volleyball, swimming, taekwondo, powerlifting, basketball, boxing and weightlifting.

Over 3000 athletes and 500 officials will participate in this year’s 2nd Niger Delta Games.

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It has been a frenzy of activities at the nine states offices of the Liaison Committees of the 2nd Niger Delta Games and on the fields with athletes and their coaches undergoing trials, screening and putting finishing touches to their preparations.

BAYELSA

The overall champions of the 1st edition, Bayelsa State concluded screening of registered athletes and set dates for state final trials to select representatives that will make the trip to Benin. 

Director of Sports at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Mr. Andrew Aye says the trial will hold on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

The Bayelsa contingent won a total of 86 medals made up of 42 gold, 29 silver and 15 bronze medals to top the table at the end of the festival sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Team Delta finished in second position garnering 99 medals comprising 41 gold, 26 silver and 32 bronze, while Team Edo were 3rd with 23 gold, 35 silver and 31 bronze medals.

 AKWA IBOM

Some athletes from the state are brimming with confidence on their medal chances with not a few promising to return from Benin with gold medals.

Destiny Ini Umoh is a table tennis player who didn't mince words in predicting he would claim the gold medal.

"I have trained very well and will continue to focus on my game to make my state proud when we go to Benin", Umoh said in a recorded video from his training site.

Getting off her Para Powerlifting training bench, Patience Elijah spoke into the camera lens, saying, "we won in the last festival and will win more this time in Edo.

Akwa Ibom State witnessed large turnout of athletes and fans for their trials at different locations in Uyo that included the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Ultrafit Gym, West Itam Secondary School. It left Paul Bassey, the state's Commissioner for Sports upbeat that the state will make improved medals returns from Benin.

IMO STATE

State Liaison Committee Chairman, Hon Obinna Onyeocha was sighted in pictures and videos supervising preparations at the Dan Anyiam Stadium and the Committee's offices.

The Secretary of the Committee, Willie Okolieogwo spoke of the state's areas of strength in wrestling, handball, football and Para Powerlifting.

"We have done considerably well to motivate our athletes and look forward to a good outing, certainly better than our performance in Uyo", he assured.

RIVERS STATE 

Chris Green, the State Liaison Committee Chairman was for the first time seen involved with the contingent, apparently taking a break from the Rivers United CAF Champions League involvement.

The state final trials have been spread across the week with the football event slated for Saturday. Some of the potential basketball representatives shot videos in which they spoke of retaining the gold they won in Uyo.

From Asaba, Benin and Akure, the young ones are all caught up in anticipation to be part of the biggest regional multi-sports competition in Africa. 

All the teams are to arrive on February 19 and would be camped at the upscale Benson Idahosa University.

His Excellency, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu heartily congratulates the government and people of Imo State on the occasion of the Imo@50 anniversary celebration.

Describing the golden jubilee as a moment of deep reflection, Ugwumba noted that the milestone provides an opportunity to appreciate the shared journey of Imo State, the resilience of its people, and the immense promise of its future.

He paid special tribute to the heroes past, as well as political, traditional, and religious leaders including various groups and spirited individuals whose sacrifices, vision, and selfless service have contributed significantly to the growth, stability, and identity of the State, noting that their legacies remain the foundation upon which Imo continues to build.

As Imo State marks this historic landmark, Ugwumba reaffirmed his commitment to the unity, progress, and overall wellbeing of Ndi Imo.

He wished the present government of Imo state under the leadership His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma and the good people of Imo state a happy 50th anniversary. 

Team Imo has stepped up preparations for the upcoming Niger Delta Games (NDG) in Edo State following a final pre-Games meeting held in Owerri. 

Addressing coaches and officials at the Office of the Commissioner for Sports, the Commissioner and Chairman of the State Liaison Committee, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, charged the technical crew to take the assignment seriously, instil discipline in their athletes and aim for podium finishes.

Hon. Onyeocha also announced that a State Local Organising Committee will be constituted to ensure effective coordination and smooth participation of Team Imo at the Games. He was supported by the committee’s Secretary, Hon. Willy Okoloigwe, who urged the team to represent Imo State with honour, unity and total commitment.

Responding on behalf of the coaches, Coach Ogueria assured the state government and sports authorities that Team Imo would make the state proud in Edo, noting that lessons learnt from the first edition of the Games have strengthened the team’s preparations for improved performance.

#NDGEdo2026 

#NigerDeltaGames2026 #TheSpiritOfTheNigerDelta #BeyondOilHarnessingTalents

By Onyinyechi Nwankwo and Wilson Amaefule

Imo State athletes have expressed high spirits and strong optimism as preparations intensify for the second phase of the Niger Delta Games scheduled to hold from February 20 to 27, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State

The Games, organised by Dunamis Icon Limited and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will bring together athletes from the nine mandate states of the Niger Delta to compete across several sporting disciplines, in what is expected to be a keenly contested celebration of grassroots sports development.

Speaking on his readiness, Emmanuel Kelechi Kingsley, a 400 metres athlete in the male category, said preparations were in top gear, noting that the competition offers a valuable platform to showcase talent at a regional level.

“We are really preparing for the Niger Delta Games coming up in February in Benin City. We want the NDDC to give us a fair playing ground to show our best, and with the level of our training, I am hopeful of clinching the gold medal,” he said.

Also expressing confidence, Sophia Chika, who will compete in the 400 metres female athletics event, described the training sessions as intense but rewarding, adding that she is determined to make Imo State proud at the Games.

From the table tennis arena, Udeh Success Favour of Owerri West Local Government Area said she was optimistic about her chances, expressing faith that consistent training and discipline would translate into victory at the competition.

Basketball player, Chukwuka Onyeise Harrison from Ezinihitte Mbaise described the Edo Games as a unifying sporting platform, while appreciating the NDDC and Dunamis Icon for creating opportunities for young athletes to develop and pursue their passion.

For Precious Adindu from Obowo Local Government Area, the excitement is even more personal, as the Edo 2026 Games will mark her first appearance at the Niger Delta Games, an opportunity she described as both motivating and inspiring.

She expressed confidence in a strong outing, stating that she is determined to compete creditably and return home with honours for Imo State.

‎Bayelsa State was the surprise winner of top position on the medals table at the inaugural edition of the Niger Delta Games in Uyo, edging Delta State by an odd gold medal on the last day of competitions.

The state finished top with 46 gold, 29 silver and 15 bronze medals, a total 86 medals, and some of the athletes preparing to represent the state at the 2nd edition in Benin, Edo State have expressed confidence to successfully retain the pole position.

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In separate ‎interviews at their camp in Yenagoa, the state capital, some of the athletes spoke shortly after training, and didn't mince words in expressing their determination to dominate at the Games holding from February 20-27.

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One of those who spoke is wrestler, Emmanuel Okike, and he was adamant that the goal of Team Bayelsa is to retain the first position on medals count at the Niger Delta Games. Okike pegged his claims on the level and quality of preparations they have been undergoing, citing the wrestling team's drills.

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‎"I am very happy to be part of the Niger Delta Games, we have been doing well in all the competitions we have attended so far such that I can confidently say that Bayelsa has gone beyond participation to winning tournaments", Okike declared while trying to catch his breath after a bout with another team mate.

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Echoing the same sentiment is a 61kg freestyle wrestler, Ebiere Frank, who insisted that Team Bayelsa is going to Benin to affirm its dominance in wrestling. He pointed out that the State would use the games as preparatory championship for other competitions slated for later in the year.

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Like Okike, Ebiere commended the foresight of the Games originator, Dunamis-Icon Limited and the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for their partnership that birthed the games for youths. Ebiere is of the firm conviction that the region stands to benefit from the continuous staging of the games in the area of discovery of talented sportsmen and women.

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‎Gonibo Jessica, a basketball player, asserted that Team Bayelsa would return with the gold medal in basketball, stating that the competition has become a stepping stone for young athletes to excel at national and international sporting events. 

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While describing the games as a laudable initiative, urged the Commission to sustain their sponsorship of the competition which has become a launch pad to the development of sports at the grassroots.

As per the rules of the games, Bayelsa State would be fielding male and female athletes in all the 16 sports events.

Photos:

1. Gonibo Jessica

2. Emmanuel Okike

3. Ebiere Frank