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Sports Commissions and Councils across the Niger Delta have been urged to prioritise sustainable athlete development structures over the pursuit of immediate medal success at the forthcoming 2nd Niger Delta Games.
The charge was delivered by Braveman Wodi, who led a four-member screening panel during the verification of registered athletes presented by Akwa Ibom State at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Wodi emphasised that one of the core objectives of the Games is to discover, nurture and prepare young athletes to evolve into future national champions.
“Our coaches must prioritise long-term athlete development over immediate medal ambitions, which is the overall aim of the Games,” he stated.
Speaking with journalists after the screening exercise, Wodi explained that the verification process was designed to ensure eligibility and guarantee a level playing field for all participants. He noted that the Games were structured to deepen grassroots engagement and identify emerging talents across the region.
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He commended the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee for presenting athletes who met the stipulated requirements for participation.
“I commend the organisers of the Games, the NDDC and Dunamis-Icon Limited, for putting together this competition. It is crucial in preparing young talents from the region for national and international engagements, enabling them to transition seamlessly when opportunities arise,” Wodi added.
More than 250 athletes from Akwa Ibom were screened and cleared to compete, having earlier emerged successful from pre-Games trials ahead of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games scheduled to hold in Edo State from February 20 to 27.
Wodi, accompanied by members of the screening committee — Lawrence Etta, Moses Ettagbor and Nze Tonnex Chukwu — reiterated that athletes must be duly registered on the Games’ portal, be indigenes of the states they represent, be under the age of 20, and must not be or have been professionals in any sport.
The screening delegation was received by the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State NDG Liaison Committee and Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, alongside committee members, directors of the Ministry of Sports, head coaches of the 16 sports and their assistants, as well as members of the media.
