As the preparation for the 2nd Niger Delta Games begins, the Executive Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele, has assured the sponsors and organisers of the games of full cooperation and excellent delivery in order to achieve improved and hitchfree games in Benin.
The Edo State Sports Commission boss who is also the chairman of the newly inaugurated Edo State Liaison Committee for the 2026 Niger Delta Games gave the assurance on Thursday during the Committee’s inaugution ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Enabulele, who re-echoed the readiness of Edo State to host the rest of the oil rich region as earlier declared by the state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, said that Edo State is the right destination for the second edition of the Niger Delta Games.
”I want to assure the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), development partners, and the rest participating states that we are ready to begin work immediately and be rest assured that we will do our very best as host state to give you the best hospitality and improved games.
”We want to also assure you that we are going to abide by the rules of the games and cooperate with the main organizing body to pursue and achieve the goal of surpassing the inaugural edition,” he assured stating however that Edo is not just hosting but will strive to win the games.
In a remark shortly before the
inauguration Mr Fred Edore, the Project Director of Niger Delta Games, said that the organizing body plans to organize a memorable event in Benin in 2026 and wants all the participating states, including Edo to abide by the rules of the game.
”Mr. Chairman thank you for your cooperation so far. We expect work to begin and trial for athletes to go through the inner parts of the 18 local government areas of Edo State to give opportunities to all indigenes.
“We have raised the age limit to 20 years. It is not about winning at all cost but to establish the platform for all eligible athletes to showcase their talents and skills,” he said.
Members of the Edo State Liaison Committee include: Desmond Enabulele, Executive Chairman Edo State Sports Commission – Chairman; Bright Idahosa- Secretary; Sogbayi Opeoluwa – member; Joseph Aghahowa, Director of Sports – member and Kehinde Osagiede, SWAN Chairman, Edo State – member.
According to the organizing body of the Games, the function of the Committee is to organise the preliminary trials of athletes, from the local government level to the final selection at the state level; to ensure the online registration of all participating athletes and the entry of the selected athletes in the games registration/DRM portal and to ensure adequate publicity for the exercise.
Other responsibilities for the Committee is to ensure that the trials and selection of athletes are in strict conformity with the general and technical rules and regulations of the games; to ensure the successful camping and training of the contingent ahead of the games; to ensure the comfortable transportation of the state contingent to and from the Games, and during the games and to ensure the effective application of funds in line with the directives of the Project Consultant among other things.
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