NDDC committed to grooming athletes discovered at Niger Delta Sports Festival

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to nurture athletes discovered at the just-concluded Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) through a new approach to grassroots sports development.

The commission plans to establish periodic training camps where scientific training methods will be applied to help these athletes reach their full potential.

Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the festival, revealed this during a media briefing with journalists covering the event.

He stated that numerous athletes were identified at the festival.

The NDSF, which commenced on April 1 and will conclude on April 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, features around 3,000 athletes and 500 officials competing in 17 sports. The festival is part of the NDDC’s mandate to enhance the living conditions of the people in the nine mandate states.

Ikpokpo explained that the scouting team, comprising coaches, former athletes, and talent scouts, has submitted 64 names, most of whom did not finish in the top positions. “This festival is not solely about who finishes first or who wins gold,” he said. “Our scouts are searching for hints of potential—qualities that can be nurtured for future success.”

The NDDC plans to establish camps for these identified athletes, providing them with scientifically informed training supervised by certified coaches. “The real work begins after this festival; it is about designing and implementing a plan to nurture the talents discovered here, ensuring they can succeed those currently representing Nigeria,” Ikpokpo added.

The commission’s commitment to developing athletes discovered at the NDSF is a significant step towards promoting sports development in the region. The festival provides a platform for athletes to showcase their talents, and the NDDC’s support will help to ensure that these athletes receive the training and guidance they need to succeed at the highest level.

At the just concluded festival, athletes from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Imo, Cross River, Ondo, and Rivers states, partcipated.

The festival featured 17 sports, including football, track and field, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming, basketball, boxing, tennis, handball, canoeing, and volleyball.

The festival aimed to promote sports development, discover new talents, and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills.

The festival recently concluded in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with Bayelsa State emerging as the overall winner. Bayelsa State won 42 gold medals, followed closely by Delta State with 41 gold medals.

The festival was sponsored by the NDDC as part of its 25th-anniversary celebrations.

The festival has identified over 60 promising athletes, with plans to establish training camps and provide scientific training methods to nurture their talents.

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