Baskadia

By Ettah Emmanuel O.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival a major initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has gained strong backing from Commissioners for Sports and Sports Commission Chairmen across the region. At the stakeholders meeting held at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, delegates praised the commission’s commitment to grassroots sports development and talent discovery.

During the meeting, Hon. Agnes Atsu, Commissioner for Sports Development, Cross River State, was elected Vice Chairman of the Niger Delta Sports Consultative Forum, while Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, emerged as Chairman. This leadership structure is expected to drive collaboration among the Niger Delta states and ensure the success of the newly introduced festival.

Presiding over the meeting, Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, emphasized that the festival aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted the commission’s commitment to grassroots talent discovery, noting that preliminary trials will commence at the local government and federal constituency levels.

Set to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from April 1–9, 2025, the festival will feature various sports, including athletics, football, swimming, wrestling, traditional Wrestling, Canoeing, Para -weightlifting, Weightlifting, Chess, etc. Stakeholders called for its sustainability as an annual event recognizing its potential to elevate sports in the region. It was noted that Sports development in Nigeria cannot happen without the Niger Delta, hence the decision by NDDC to introduce the Sports Component into her agenda for the 25th Anniversary of its operation in the region. The Executive Director commended the governors of the Niger Delta States for their efforts in sustaining sports in the region, noting that Sports is capital intensive. The proposed Niger Delta Sports Festival, promises to be very exciting as emphasis was layed on bringing out the cultural heritage of the region during the festival.