Over 600 athletes from Imo State, drawn from all 27 LGAs, are getting set to compete across 17 sports at the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
The competition is being organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in partnership with Dunanis Icon Limited, and will bring together over 3,000 athletes, 600 coaches, and 300 media professionals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from April 1st to 8th, 2025.
Imo State commissioner for Sports Obinna Onyeocha, alongside other committee members, told newsmen at a press briefing that the state contingent would stand out and called on people to look out for the state’s exploits at the festival.
He said registration for the competition is ongoing online at https://nigerdeltasportfestival.com, while physical capture was at the office of the Imo State Director of Sports at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Onyeocha said, “We are here today to remind Imolites that online registration for the festival is ongoing. Athletes under 25 years of age can register at or visit the Director of Sports Office at Dan Anyiam Stadium for physical capture. They can also reach out to their Sports Secretaries at their respective LGAs.
“The festival shall be among the states and indigenes of the Niger Delta region only and shall run between the 1st and 8th of April 2025.
“Imo State is among the nine mandate states of the NDDC to participate in the competition, and over 3,000 athletes, 600 coaches and technical officials, as well as 300 media practitioners shall be converging in Uyo for the event.
“Registration is currently ongoing online, and over 600 under 25 athletes drawn from the 27 LGA of Imo state are expected to register and shall participate in the following sporting events: Athletics, Basketball,
Boxing, Handball, Swimming, Tennis, Table tennis, Scrabble, Chess, Canoeing, Weightlifting, Traditional wrestling, Paraathletics, Para powerlifting, and Football.
“The online registration for intending athletes under 25 years is ongoing or any intending athlete can also go for physical capturing at the office of the Director of sports at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri or contact the sports secretaries in their various LGA’s”.
He said March 7th was the registration deadline and urged all intending athletes to seize the opportunity, saying the state trials, have been scheduled for Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Further he called on all participants to be on time saying “All coaches and their athletes from the 27 LGAs must be at the stadium before 9:00am that day,” he added.
The commissioner disclosed that the open camp will commence on March 17th and run till 23rd, saying “Imo State will commence its Open Camp from March 17th to 23rd, before transitioning into Closed Camp from March 24th to April 30th, 2025. The team is set to depart for Uyo on April 1st, with the goal of securing medal glory for the state.
“We are confident in the abilities of our young athletes. This festival is not just about participation; Imo State is coming to compete and dominate,” Onyeocha said.
The Local Organising Committee expressed gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma, for his unwavering support through his 3R agenda for sports development.
The LOC thanked the local government chairmen, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Rubby Emele, and the media fraternity, especially SWAN, for their collective efforts in promoting grassroots sports.
