Momentum builds as Niger Delta Sports festival local trials begin

The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) trials began on March 11, with Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa leading the selection process. Bayelsa emphasized a fair and competitive approach, while Akwa Ibom hosted trials in various sports, including canoeing, weightlifting, and athletics. Bayelsa’s Sports Commissioner, Daniel Igali, met with officials to strategize for the festival, set for […]

The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) trials began on March 11, with Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa leading the selection process. Bayelsa emphasized a fair and competitive approach, while Akwa Ibom hosted trials in various sports, including canoeing, weightlifting, and athletics.

Bayelsa’s Sports Commissioner, Daniel Igali, met with officials to strategize for the festival, set for April 1–8 in Uyo. He stressed fair play and talent development for athletes under 25. In Eket, Akwa Ibom’s Commissioner, Paul Bassey, supervised trials, where young athletes competed for 316 spots to represent the state at the festival’s inaugural edition.

The technical lead of the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee, Catherine Ekuta Ewa, expressed her excitement about the talents on display, saying, “If we can harness the talents we have seen here, Akwa Ibom will have a very bright future in sports.” She also thanked the organizers for creating an avenue for young athletes to be screened and aspire to compete at a higher level.

The trials, which were held in various locations across the Eket Senatorial District, including Eket town, Ibeno LGA, and Oron, saw a high level of competition, with many young athletes displaying exceptional skills and energy.

Nine states including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta are among the competing stares. The rest are Edo, Imo, Cross River, Ondo and Rivers. The festival is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a sports intervention project to mark its 25th anniversary and also help to harness talents in the region.