Ikpokpo Unveils Clean Sports Drive as Niger Delta Games Begin with over 3000 Athletes
The Niger Delta Games officially got underway with a strong message of reform, youth empowerment, and regional talent development as the Managing Director of Dunamis-Icon Limited cum Project Consultant of the Niger Delta Games, Itiako Ikpokpo unveiled a firm agenda to sanitise sports in the region.
Speaking with journalists after the opening ceremony, Ikpokpo confirmed that over 3000 athletes have been assembled for the Games, marking one of the largest youth-focused sporting gatherings in the zone in recent years.
Describing the event as more than a festival of sports, he said the ceremony symbolised a generational transition and a deliberate investment in the future.
“What you saw was the old passing the torch to the younger generation,” he stated, adding that the enthusiasm displayed by the athletes reflects months of preparation and anticipation.
The Games, which had been in the works for over a year delivered a successful opening ceremony, with all participating athletes arriving safely and settling into designated accommodations.
Ikpokpo commended the event’s institutional support, particularly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), identified as the sole major sponsor of the Games.
According to him, the Commission provided essential materials including kits, bedding, and other welfare logistics necessary for the smooth take-off of the competition.
“We thank our partners and especially the NDDC for providing what we need to host these athletes properly,” he said.
Providing insight into the calibre of athletes on parade, Ikpokpo revealed that several participants in the maiden edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State competed at the 2024 National Sports Festival and the African U18 and U20 Athletics Championships both held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He disclosed that more than 80 percent of athletes from the region who featured at the continental championships returned with medals — an outcome he attributed to consistent exposure to competitive platforms.
“Continuous competitions at age-grade levels improve performance. We are not owning athletes; we are producing athletes for the region,” he emphasised.
Beyond competition, however, the Niger Delta Games are also being positioned as a vehicle for sports reform. Ikpokpo called for decisive action against doping, age falsification, cheating, and the practice of states recruiting athletes from elsewhere purely to win medals.
He urged states and communities within the region to prioritise grassroots development and invest in coaching education rather than short-term medal pursuits.
“We want cheating to stop. We want drugs to stop. We want people to stop lying about their age. Let us groom our athletes locally. We have enough talent everywhere,” he declared.
