Rivers to conclude trials for Niger Delta Games with football

Trials to select Rivers State athletes for the Niger Delta Games will conclude on Saturday, February 7, with the football contingent rounding off the exercise.

The state trials began on Monday, February 2, with competitions in chess, table tennis, tennis and scrabble, while handball and wrestling trials were held on Tuesday, February 3.

Events scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, include volleyball and taekwondo, while swimming and powerlifting trials will take place on Thursday. Basketball, boxing and weightlifting are billed for Friday.

The trials are aimed at selecting athletes who will represent Team Rivers in all 16 sports approved for the Niger Delta Games. Athletics trials have already been concluded, with the final phase expected to end ahead of full camping for the Edo 2026 Games.

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The Niger Delta Games is organised by Dunamis-Icon for the nine states of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Members of the State Liaison Committee said they were encouraged by the performances of athletes, expressing optimism about Rivers State’s prospects at the regional festival.

The Rivers State Director of Sports, Mrs Ibia Inyengiyikabo, confirmed that athletes from the state are prepared for the Games.

Speaking after the athletics trials in Port Harcourt, she said: “We have seen athletes who can do even better in the future, and with consistent training, we are optimistic about winning medals.”

The Niger Delta Games finals will hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 27, with over 3,000 athletes and 500 officials expected to participate.