Rivers State will conclude athletes’ trial for the second Niger Delta Games on Saturday with the selection of the football contingent.
The Games, which will hold in Benin City, the Edo State capital, is scheduled to start on 20 February and end seven days later. Over 3,000 athletes and 500 officials are estimated to participate during the fiesta.
The Rivers State trials began on Monday with chess, table tennis, tennis, scrabble and continue on Tuesday for athletes seeking places in the squads for handball and wrestling.
On Wednesday, it will be the turn of volleyball and taekwondo, swimming and powerlifting trials on Thursday, while Friday is for basketball, boxing and weightlifting.
Swimming and powerlifting trials will come up on Thursday, while Friday is for basketball, boxing and weightlifting
The state will be featuring athletes across all 16 sporting events approved by the organisers of the Games.
Athletics trials have already been concluded, while this final phase of state trials will continue in the coming days before the full camping of selected athletes ahead of Edo 2026.
The Niger Delta Games is organised by Dunamis-Icon for the nine states covered by the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Members of the State Liaison Committee commended the athletes for their impressive form, commitment, and competitive edge, believing that Rivers State would likely record an improved outing at the regional sports festival.
The state Director of Sports, Mrs. Ibia Inyengiyikabo said that athletes from the state are fully prepared for the forthcoming Games.
After the athletics trials in Port Harcourt, the state capital, she expressed delight at the athletes’ commitment, energy, and zeal to represent the state.
‘We have seen athletes who can do even better in the future, and with consistent training, we are optimistic about winning medals’, she said.
