Organisers Move To Curb 'Poaching' At Niger Delta Games

Dunamis-Icon Limited, the organisers of the Niger Delta Games (NDG), reiterated in Benin on Wednesday that states are prohibited from fielding non-indigenous athletes at the second edition of the games, scheduled for Edo State from 20-27 February.

This declaration comes as the company and the host state, Edo, reaffirmed their commitment to staging the biggest regional sporting festival, aiming to surpass the inaugural edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The organisers’ stance was emphasised at a press conference in the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, by Sir Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, managing consultant of Dunamis-Icon Limited and project manager of the Niger Delta Games.

“We are determined to stamp out the practice of athlete poaching – the buying of discovered athletes from other states. Therefore, states can only field athletes verified to be indigenes of that state,” declared Ikpokpo, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee.

Clarifying the regulation, Ikpokpo explained, “We want to encourage grassroots sports development by discovering and nurturing talents in the nine states. There is no state that cannot find talents capable of representing them,” he insisted.

According to him, “the Niger Delta region has consistently produced some of Nigeria’s finest athletes,” stressing that “the nine Niger Delta states are blessed with abundant sporting talents.”

To ensure compliance, the organisers have established a monitoring system for screening, and coaches have been advised to scout for talent at the grassroots level. In his words, “true athletes are found in classrooms and communities.”

He also stated that the rules have been adjusted to permit only athletes who are 20 years old and below.

Delving into the games’ schedule, Ikpokpo announced that athletes are expected to arrive in Benin City on 19 February 2026, with the opening ceremony taking place on 20 February 2026, at 5:00 p.m. He further announced that local government trials will commence next week, as organisers are determined to improve upon the standards set during the maiden edition in Akwa Ibom State.

Ikpokpo expressed appreciation to members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State Chapter, and other media professionals for their support for sports development in the Niger Delta region and the country at large.