Niger Delta Games: Coaches Encouraged to Focus on Future Talent Development Rather Than Medals

The Sports Commissions and Councils of the Niger Delta Region have been encouraged to leverage the Niger Delta Games for establishing sustainable athlete development frameworks instead of chasing quick victories.

During the screening of athletes representing Akwa Ibom State at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Braveman Wodi, who led a four-member evaluation panel, stated that a key purpose of the Games is to identify, nurture, and prepare young athletes to become future national champions.

"Our coaches must focus on long-term athlete development over short-term medal aspirations, which aligns with the Games' overall objectives," Mr. Wodi advised.

Speaking to the media post-event, Mr. Wodi remarked that the screening exercise was designed to ensure participant eligibility and create equitable conditions for all competitors, as the Games are meant to foster grassroots involvement and identify emerging talents.

While commending the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee for presenting athletes that met the necessary standards for participation, he also praised the organizers, including the NDDC and Dunamis-Icon Limited, for orchestrating a competition that is essential in grooming local talents for national and international events, allowing them to seamlessly transition when opportunities arise.

More than 250 athletes from Akwa Ibom underwent screening and were deemed fit for the upcoming 2nd Niger Delta Games, set to take place in Edo State from February 20 to 27.

Mr. Wodi, along with members of the screening committee—Lawrence Etta, Moses Ettagbor, and Nze Tonnex Chukwu—highlighted that to qualify for the Games, athletes must be registered on the official portal, be natives of their respective states, be younger than 20 years, and must not have any previous professional sports experience.

Present during the screening were Paul Bassey, the chairman of the Akwa Ibom State NDG liaison committee and the commissioner for sports, alongside committee members, sports ministry directors, head coaches of 16 sports, their assistants, and members of the press.