Niger Delta Games Unearthing Future Champions –  Sabina Chikere 

The Executive Director of Sports Development and Operations at the Edo State Sports Commission, Sabina Chikere, has revealed that the Niger Delta Games will become recognised not only within Nigeria but across the globe for its distinctive and effective approach to discovering and nurturing young talent.

According to her, the primary aim of the tournament is to develop athletes from the Niger Delta region and groom them into future champions.

“We are using these Games to develop our athletes because we discovered that we do not have many competitors at the very top level. It is also an opportunity for each of the states in the region to develop their athletes and distinguish the region nationally, so that other regions can emulate what is happening in the Niger Delta,” she said.

She added that the tournament is designed to identify raw talent from rural communities and elevate them to elite status.

“The purpose of the competition is to discover raw talents from the hinterlands and raise them to the highest level. I am pleased that we are achieving that objective,” she noted.

Chikere, who also serves on the screening committee for the Games, explained that stringent measures were taken to ensure that only eligible athletes within the stipulated age bracket participated in the Under-20 championship.

“It may interest you to know that before the commencement of the Games, messages were sent to all participating states outlining the conditions required for eligibility.

“One of the criteria is that, as an Under-20 event, participants must be 19 years old in the year of the competition. In addition, each athlete must be an indigene of the state they represent.

 They are also required to present their National Identification Number (NIN), birth certificate, and a letter of identification from their Local Government and state of origin. It is not a difficult process, and I can confidently say that the screening committee carried out its duties effectively.”

On the issue of talent identification, she disclosed that dedicated officials were assigned to scout emerging prospects and expressed satisfaction that numerous young talents had been discovered during the Games.

The Executive Director expressed delight at the success recorded so far, while emphasising that the competition would continue to improve with each edition.

“I am pleased that we are witnessing a successful tournament and that the athletes and coaches are satisfied with our efforts. However, improvement is a continuous process. We cannot perfect everything at once, and I believe there will still be areas to enhance by next year.”

Chikere attributed the seamless organisation of the tournament by Edo State to teamwork and dedication.

“Edo State has delivered a successful championship through teamwork and commitment. We operate in unity, share ideas, and work diligently with dedication. That collective effort is reflected in what you are seeing today,” she concluded.