Niger Delta Sports 2026:Ikpokpo Expresses Confidence Event Will Revive True Niger Delta Sporting Spirit














Niger Delta Sports 2026:
Ikpokpo Expresses Confidence   Event Will Revive True Niger Delta Sporting Spirit 

Iduozee Efe Paul, Benin 

The Managing Consultant of Dunamis Icon Limited, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, has expressed strong confidence that the event will revive true Niger Delta sporting spirit.




He therefore posited that there will be a zero-tolerance policy on age cheating and the use of performance-enhancing drugs ahead of the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State.

Sir Ikpokpo made the statements on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Media Centre at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin city.

He confirmed that Edo State will host the 2nd edition of the Games, also known as the Niger Delta Games with over 3000 athletes and officials expected to participate. The event is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and privately driven by Dunamis Icon Limited.

He said the Niger Delta, once a major breeding ground for Nigerian sports talents, has suffered a decline due to the abandonment of grassroots development in favour of athlete poaching.

“Many states have abandoned talent discovery and grassroots development for the buying and poaching of athletes. This is unacceptable. Every community across the nine Niger Delta states has immense potential that can be nurtured to represent the nation. That was the foundation upon which this festival was conceived,” he said.



According to him, the festival will run from February 20 to 27, 2026, with athletes expected to arrive in Benin City on February 19, in line with an official travel advisory that will be issued to all participating states.

He added that inspection of sporting facilities is ongoing, noting that while preparations are in full swing, necessary upgrades are being supported to ensure all venues meet required standards ahead of the Games.

“The local government trials will commence next week, followed by state trials the week after. Beyond sports, the festival will also be a celebration of arts and culture,” Ikpokpo said.

He expressed confidence that the event would revive the true Niger Delta sporting spirit and restore hope among young people by creating sustainable pathways in sports.

In a major policy shift aimed at strengthening youth development, Ikpokpo disclosed that the age limit for participants has been reduced from 25 years in the last edition to 20 years.

“We want to ensure that there are no cheats—neither age cheats nor drug cheats. Ideally, the active lifespan of an athlete should be between 18 and 30 years. When athletes get older, that is when age falsification and drug use begin, simply to keep up. We are firmly against this,” he said.

He also blamed the decline in grassroots sports on the collapse of structured scouting systems at community and school levels.

“There are talents in the local governments, so why cheat? There was a time when coaches went into communities to discover talents. When that stopped, grassroots development also stopped,” he added.

Sir Ikpokpo concluded by reaffirming that grassroots sports development remains the core objective of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, stressing that the organisers are determined to restore integrity, credibility, and excellence to talent discovery in the region.



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