Niger Delta Games: Edo lists 282 athletes for 16 events

… as Enabulele hails organisers

Edo State will parade a contingent of 282 athletes to compete in 16 sporting events at the forthcoming second edition of the Niger Delta Games, the Chairman of the State’s Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has disclosed.

Enabulele made this known while fielding questions from sports journalists shortly after officially declaring open the Team Edo camp for the Games, which Edo State will host on Tuesday in Benin.

The Niger Delta Games is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited.

Enabulele said that Edo recently concluded its trials and has since moved its athletes into a full residential camp, a development he described as a clear demonstration of Edo State’s seriousness and commitment to sports development.

“Edo State will be participating in 16 events with 282 athletes already in camp. As of today, I can assure you that Edo State, among the nine participating states, is the only state that has gone into full camping with its athletes,” Enabulele said.

He attributed the early camping arrangements and the welfare of the athletes to the state government’s support, describing Governor Monday Okpebholo as a sports-loving leader who has prioritised the well-being of athletes.

“This clearly shows that the state government is genuinely interested in the Games and in the development of our athletes,” he added.

Enabulele charged the Edo athletes to remain disciplined, dedicated and focused throughout the camping period, reminding them that they are ambassadors of the state and must uphold its values both on and off the field.

Commending the organisers of the Games, the Sports Commission chairman expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation and facilities on ground, noting that promises made were being fulfilled.

“We are satisfied with what the organisers of the Games have done and what we are seeing on ground,” he said.

He disclosed that he had embarked on an inspection tour of designated facilities across Benin to ascertain the level of preparation, which he noted was nearing completion.

“We declared Team Edo camp open just this morning. We have concluded the state trials, and from what we saw, we know that we are fully ready and prepared for the second edition of the Niger Delta Games.

“Our athletes are now in camp and will undergo double training sessions to prepare very well for the Games.

“We have gone round to inspect the facilities, and they are over 98 per cent ready to host the Niger Delta Games,” he maintained.

Reaffirming Edo State’s dominance in grassroots sports development, Enabulele said the state remains the breeding ground for top talents across the Niger Delta.

“When it comes to grassroots sports development, no state in the country can compete with Edo State. Many of the athletes being celebrated today actually emerged from Edo State,” he said, attributing the success to quality coaching and structured developmental programmes.

Facilities inspected by the Sports Commission chairman included the Olympic-sized swimming pool, main bowl and tennis courts at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the basketball and volleyball courts along Wire Road, as well as the Team Edo camp site, all in Benin.

The Niger Delta Games are expected to feature athletes from the nine states of the region and are aimed at promoting sports development, unity and youth engagement across the Niger Delta.