By Kanu Samuel
The second edition of the Niger Delta Games (NDG) came to a colourful close on Thursday, February 26, after five days of keenly contested events at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State.
While Edo State celebrated topping the overall medals table with 52 gold medals a rare feat at a national sports fiesta the real conversation among departing delegates centred on the quality of the athletics competition.
From the opening day’s 100m finals to the electrifying relay events on the final day, the track produced fireworks throughout.
That was hardly surprising. The Niger Delta has long been regarded as a breeding ground for some of Nigeria’s finest track and field talents, producing stars who have excelled both locally and internationally.
Delta State once again stamped its authority in athletics, dominating in Benin City despite strong challenges from Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. Delta claimed 13 gold medals, largely in the sprints and relays. Edo found success in the field events, while Akwa Ibom and Cross River shared honours in the middle- and long-distance races.
“Nobody can take athletics away from Delta State. They have a very good structure that produces quality athletes every year,” said Mutiu Oluwa, an Edo State athletics coach. “If other states like Edo can replicate that structure, it will be a total showdown in future editions.”
Delta State reinforced its dominance just before the closing ceremony, winning three of the four relay gold medals on offer. Akwa Ibom prevented a clean sweep by claiming the men’s 4x400m title.
Former Nigerian sprint champion Seun Ogunkoya described the competition as a positive sign for the future.
“The athletes gave everything they had because everyone wanted to make a statement,” he said. “This is good for Nigerian athletics.
Considering the quality on display, the competition was very encouraging. With sustained efforts, the country can produce many more elite athletes in the near future.”
Among the standout performers was Ejiro Peters, who completed a sprint double in the women’s 100m and 200m and added gold in the 4x100m relay.
Osama Chibueze mirrored that feat for Delta State, claiming the men’s 100m and 200m titles and contributing to the 4x100m victory.
Cross River’s David Udoh disrupted Delta’s dominance by winning the men’s 400m and helping his state secure gold in the men’s 4x400m relay. Treasure Okereke had earlier clinched the women’s 400m gold and later powered Delta to victory in the women’s 4x400m.
Akwa Ibom’s Hephzibah Okon impressed in the women’s 800m but was denied a distance double by Cross River’s Godsmind Eteng, who claimed the 1500m title.
In the men’s category, Emmanuel Asuquo emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, Treasure Omosivwe of Edo State soared to gold in the women’s high jump, equalling her personal best of 1.75m.
Mrs Joyce Bozimo, organiser of the Warri Effurun Peace Marathon, praised the depth of talent on display.
“What we have seen here is very encouraging. Nigeria, especially the Niger Delta region, is blessed with athletics talent,” she said. “Our only wish is for proper follow-up.
We can establish camps like we had in Afuze, where athletes were trained, mentored and conditioned to become world champions.”
She also commended the organisation of the athletics events.
Chairman of the organising committee, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo who also heads the Delta State Athletics Association worked closely with the technical committee led by Enefiok Odo-Obong to ensure smooth competition.
Ikpokpo revealed that the Games Scouting and Mentorship Committee had monitored events across venues and would soon recommend next steps. He urged states to provide adequate support for identified talents.
“All said, Dunamis-Icon Limited and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) do not own these athletes, nor do we intend to,” Ikpokpo said at a pre-closing media briefing. “We have only provided a platform for them to showcase their talents.
It is now the responsibility of the states and relevant federal agencies to develop them into national and international champions.”
The Niger Delta Games is owned by Dunamis-Icon Limited and sponsored by the NDDC.
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