By USMAN ALIYU

No fewer than 3,000 athletes and officials from nine oil-producing states are expected in Edo for the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold from Feb. 20 to 27.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the multi-sport event, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), will feature 17 sports.

These include football, basketball, boxing, badminton, among others.

The event will also feature a cultural night designed to showcase the region’s rich heritage.

The organiser of the event, Itiako Ikpokpo, told sports journalists on Wednesday in Benin City that the games were strictly designed for young talents.

Ikpokpo, who is the chairman of Dunamis Icons Limited, said participating athletes must be indigenous to the competing states and must not exceed 20 years of age.

According to him, meaningful sports development must begin at the grassroots, as the local government level is the true foundation for talent discovery.

“We must go back to school sports to discover more young talents for the country,” he said.

Ikpokpo, however, decried the poor commitment of state governments to sports development.

He said low budgetary allocations for sports across states had continued to undermine growth in the sector, while weak administration had prevented sports from becoming a viable economic venture.

“There is a need to elevate the conversation on sports in this country.

“The reason sports has not become a money spinner is the way it is being managed by administrators,” he said.

Ikpokpo also condemned the prevalence of age cheating in sports, describing it as “shameful”, and called for collective action to end the practice.

He further urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to look beyond Uyo for the hosting of international matches, arguing that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City meets global standards.

“Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is as good as the Uyo Stadium and should be considered for international fixtures,” he said (NAN)