States Prepare for Final Selection of Athletes for Niger Delta Games

As the date approaches for the 2nd Niger Delta Games, states from the Niger Delta region are finalizing their athlete selections. They are gearing up to send their athletes to Benin for the forthcoming competition.

From various locations including Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Calabar, Akure, Owerri, Umuahia, Asaba, and Benin, athletes along with their coaches have been diligently preparing to clinch medals at the games.

In Uyo, the Athletics trials are set to be held this coming Monday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, where over 100 athletes will compete for a spot on the state team. The trials will include both morning and afternoon sessions focused on events such as the 100m and 400m sprints, the 800m, and relays, including mixed relay races.

The morning session will kick off at 9 a.m. with the finals for the women’s 5,000m and men’s shot put, succeeded by heats for the 100m category for both male and female athletes, alongside field events and finals in disciplines including 400m, 1,500m, hurdles, jumps, and various throws. This session will run until 1:15 p.m., ensuring a day filled with continuous action both on the track and in the field.

The afternoon events will commence at 3 p.m., highlighting finals for javelin, discus, long jump, 200m, 800m, high jump, and will conclude with the men’s 5,000m event, finishing off by 6 p.m.

Additionally, a kokowa event is scheduled to take place at Uyo Township Stadium at 11 a.m. As the Olympic-sized swimming pool is currently under maintenance, swimming events will instead occur at the facilities of UltraFit Nigeria Limited in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, at the same time.

Previous days of trials have boasted a strong turnout from fans, and an even larger crowd is anticipated to gather at the venues to support the competing athletes.

The Niger Delta Games, which receive sponsorship from the Niger Delta Development Commission and are organized by Dunamis-Icon Limited, are set to be held from February 20 to 27 in Edo state, featuring participation from all nine states in the Niger Delta region.