States Race Against Time As Niger Delta Games 2026 Draws Closer

AFOLABI SAHEED OLAWALE 

Niger Delta region states are on the very end part of their preparations for the 2nd Niger Delta Games as they get set to move into camp ahead their travel to Benin for the games proper.

From Port Harcourt to Yenagoa and to Calabar up to Akure, Owerri, Umuahia, Asaba and Benin, athletes and coaches have been working their socks with eyes on medals.

In Uyo where the Athletics event trials comes up at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday, over 100 athletes will compete to earn a place in the state contingent. The trials will have morning and afternoon sessions for events in the 100m sprints, 400m, 800m and the relay and mixed relay races.

The morning session will begin at 9 a.m. with the women’s 5,000m final and men’s shot-put final, followed by the 100m heats for both men and women, field events, and finals in the 400m, 1,500m, hurdles, jumps and throws. The session will run through to 1:15pm, promising non-stop action on the track and in the field.

The afternoon session will commence at 3 p.m. and will feature finals of javelin, discus, long jump, 200m, 800m, high jump and the men’s 5,000m, which will close the day’s programme at 6 p.m.

Elsewhere, kokowa will take place at Uyo Township Stadium at 11 a.m. and with the Olympic-size swimming pool currently undergoing maintenance, swimming has been scheduled for UltraFit Nigeria Limited, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, for the same time.

An impressive turnout of fans have been recorded on previous days of the trials and more members of the public are expected to turn up at the venues and cheer the athletes.

The Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and organized by Dunamis-Icon Limited, are scheduled for Edo state from February 20 to 27, with all nine states of the region expected to participate.

Meanwhile, trials for the Rivers State athletes selection would be concluded on Saturday, February 7 when the football contingent would be picked.

The trials began on Monday, February 2 in Chess, Table Tennis, Tennis, Scrabble and would continue on Tuesday, February 3, for athletes seeking a place in the squads forHandball and Wrestling.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Volleyball, Taekwondo

Swimming and Powerlifting trials will come up on Thursday while Friday is for
Basketball, Boxing and Weightlifting

The trials are aimed at selecting athletes who will represent Team Rivers across all 16 sporting events approved by the organisers of the Niger Delta Games.

Athletics trials have already been concluded, while this final phase of state trials will continue in the coming days before the full camping of selected athletes ahead of Edo 2026.

The Niger Delta Games is organised by Dunamis-Icon for the nine states that make up the region that are members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Members of the State Liaison Committee say they are impressed with the athletes impressive form, commitment, and competitive edge, believing that Rivers State would likely record an improved outing at the regional sports festival.

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

Speaking after the athletics trials in Port Harcourt, she expressed delight at the athletes’ commitment, energy, and zeal to represent the state.

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

The Niger Delta Games finals will hold in Benin City, Edo State from February 20-27. Over 3000 athletes and 500 officials would participate in the fiesta.