The 2nd Niger Delta Games commenced on February 19 and is set to conclude on February 27 in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.

This regional sports festival, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and organized by Dunamis-Icon Limited, brings together athletes from nine Niger Delta states—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers—to compete in 16 sports.

Events are being staged at key venues including the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and other facilities across Benin City.

The Games are specifically designed to promote grassroots sports development and talent identification, focusing on junior athletes in the U-19 category.

The initiative aims to discover emerging talents capable of representing their states and, ultimately, forming the backbone of future national teams.

By concentrating on youth competition, the NDDC intends to strengthen the region’s sporting pipeline and foster unity among participating states.

Dr. Daniel Igali, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, expressed strong confidence in his state’s contingent.

Speaking at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Igali declared that Bayelsa would challenge for the overall title despite stiff competition.

He cited Bayelsa’s consistent top-three finishes at the National Sports Festival—placing third once and second twice—as evidence of the state’s pedigree, attributing the success to sustained investment and support from Governor Douye Diri.

Igali maintained that Bayelsa cannot be considered an underdog in any national or regional competition, emphasizing that the state’s athletes are prepared to uphold their reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting powerhouses.