Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has pledged that his administration will discover, nurture, and invest in young sporting talents following Edo State’s victory at the second edition of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Games. tagged Edo 2026.
The governor made the pledge while receiving the champions’ trophy during a grand reception held at the Government House, Benin City, in honour of Team Edo for emerging overall winners of the regional sporting tournament.
Gov. Okpebholo congratulated the athletes, coaches, and sports administrators for their dedication and discipline, which culminated in Edo State finishing at the top of the medals table.
He emphasized that the victory reflects the enormous sporting potential within the state and the determination of his administration to reposition the state as a powerhouse in Nigerian sports.
“Congratulations to my dear state, Edo State, for the victory at the second NDDC Games hosted here in Edo. Some of our athletes will represent Nigeria in future Olympic Games,” the governor predicted.
He recalled that during the opening ceremony of the competition, he had expressed confidence that the state would not only host the tournament but also win it.
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Gov. Okpebholo reiterated his earlier pledge to reward the victorious athletes with ₦30 million, describing the achievement as a moment of pride for the entire state.
The governor noted that the administration would continue to invest strategically in sports development, stressing that the talents discovered during the tournament would be carefully groomed to compete at national and international levels.
“Your talent is something we must harness, build on, and invest in so that Edo can produce champions who will represent Nigeria in global competitions,” he stated.
Gov. Okpebholo also commended the coaches for their role in shaping the athletes’ performances, describing them as the true heroes behind the medals.
At the end of the competition, Edo State finished first on the medals table with 52 gold, 34 silver, and 25 bronze medals, making a total of 111 medals, ahead of eight other participating Niger Delta states to emerge overall champions of the NDDC Games.
