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Preparations for 2nd Niger Delta Games
States across the Niger Delta region have entered the final phase of preparations for the 2nd Niger Delta Games as athletes and officials get set to move into camp ahead of their journey to Benin City for the competition.
From Port Harcourt, Yenagoa and Calabar to Akure, Owerri, Umuahia, Asaba and Benin, athletes and coaches have stepped up training intensity, with a strong focus on medal success at the regional multi-sport event.
In Akwa Ibom State, attention will shift to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, on Monday as over 100 athletes compete in athletics trials to secure places in the state’s contingent. The trials will be conducted in morning and afternoon sessions, featuring events in the 100 metres, 400m, 800m, relays and mixed relays.
The morning session, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., will open with the women’s 5,000m final and the men’s shot-put final, followed by 100m heats for both genders, field events, and finals in the 400m, 1,500m, hurdles, jumps and throws. Activities are expected to run until 1:15 p.m.
Action will resume at 3 p.m. for the afternoon session, with finals in javelin, discus, long jump, 200m, 800m and high jump, while the men’s 5,000m final will bring the day’s programme to a close at 6 p.m.
Elsewhere in Uyo, kokowa (traditional wrestling) will take place at the Uyo Township Stadium from 11 a.m. Due to ongoing maintenance at the Olympic-size swimming pool, swimming events have been moved to UltraFit Nigeria Limited, Ewet Housing Estate, also scheduled for 11 a.m.
Organisers have recorded an impressive turnout of fans during previous days of the trials, with expectations of increased spectator presence as events progress.
The Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited, will hold in Edo State from February 20 to 27, with all nine states from the region expected to participate.
