Sports

States Wrap Up Athlete Picks for Niger Delta Games

Published

9 months ago

February 1, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Niger Delta region states are on the very end part of their preparations for the 2nd Niger Delta Games as they get set to move into camp ahead their travel to Benin for the games proper.

From Port Harcourt to Yenagoa and to Calabar up to Akure, Owerri, Umuahia, Asaba and Benin, athletes and coaches have been working their socks with eyes on medals.

In Uyo where the Athletics event trials comes up at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday, over 100 athletes will compete to earn a place in the state contingent. The trials will have morning and afternoon sessions for events in the 100m sprints, 400m, 800m and the relay and mixed relay races.

The morning session will begin at 9 a.m. with the women’s 5,000m final and men’s shot-put final, followed by the 100m heats for both men and women, field events, and finals in the 400m, 1,500m, hurdles, jumps and throws. The session will run through to 1:15pm, promising non-stop action on the track and in the field.

The afternoon session will commence at 3 p.m. and will feature finals of javelin, discus, long jump, 200m, 800m, high jump and the men’s 5,000m, which will close the day’s programme at 6 p.m.

Elsewhere, kokowa will take place at Uyo Township Stadium at 11 a.m. and with the Olympic-size swimming pool currently undergoing maintenance, swimming has been scheduled for UltraFit Nigeria Limited, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, for the same time.

An impressive turnout of fans have been recorded on previous days of the trials and more members of the public are expected to turn up at the venues and cheer the athletes.

The Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and organized by Dunamis-Icon Limited, are scheduled for Edo state from February 20 to 27, with all nine states of the region expected to participate.

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Sports

NSC DG Olopade Applauds FCT’s Move to Develop Gwagwalada Mini Stadium

Published

13 hours ago

November 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for the planned construction of a mini stadium in Gwagwalada, describing the initiative as a significant boost to sports development in the territory.

Hon. Olopade said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly its commitment to the development of sports infrastructure across the country.

According to the DG, the proposed Gwagwalada Mini Stadium, when completed, will serve as an important sporting facility during the 2027 African School Games scheduled to hold in Abuja, while also providing young athletes in the FCT with access to quality sports infrastructure to nurture their talents.

“As I speak, over 30 contractors have been mobilized to various sites to ensure that sporting facilities and infrastructure are put in place for both our young and elite athletes across the country, Hon, Olopade said.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unprecedented support for sports development, noting that the Federal Government had committed over ₦200 billion to the rehabilitation and development of sports infrastructure nationwide.

“We are more than grateful at the Sports Commission because Mr President has been very supportive of sports like never before. His commitment to spending over ₦200 billion on infrastructure revamp across the country will ensure that indigent children have access to quality facilities to harness their sporting potential,” he added.

The DG emphasized that sports infrastructure remains a critical factor in achieving excellence, noting that the availability and quality of facilities play a major role in athletes’ performance and their ability to secure podium finishes at international competitions.

He described the planned construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium as a welcome development, commending Wike for his continued commitment to infrastructure development in the FCT.

“The construction of the Gwagwalada Mini Stadium by the FCT Minister is a massive welcome development for the Sports Commission. The Minister deserves all the accolades for the good work he has been doing in the FCT, particularly in the area of construction and infrastructure development,” Hon. Olopade said.

The NSC reiterated its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the development of sporting facilities that will support grassroots participation, talent discovery and the overall growth of sports in Nigeria.

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