The Delta State Sports Commission is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to assemble the best athletes for the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The highly anticipated event is set to take place next month in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
Following the conclusion of the Local Government Trials, the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Onoriode Oborevwori, revealed in Asaba that a statewide trial would be conducted next week to select the top-performing athletes from the local levels. He emphasized that only the best would earn a spot in Team Delta, as the state aims to maintain its dominance in Nigerian sports.
Having personally visited the three designated venues for the trials, Mr. Oborevwori expressed confidence in the quality of talent emerging from the grassroots. He noted that the upcoming state trials would serve as the final selection process, where the most outstanding athletes from various local government areas would compete for automatic qualification to represent Delta at the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
Encouraging the qualifiers, Mr. Oborevwori urged them to see this opportunity as a stepping stone to national and international recognition. He stressed the need for continuous improvement, as only the best would make the final cut. He also advised those who did not make it past the local trials not to lose hope, reminding them that Delta State would be defending its National Sports Festival title in Abeokuta this May. He assured them that they still had a chance to earn a spot in the state’s contingent through the upcoming National Sports Festival trials next month.
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Echoing his sentiments, the Director-General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Festus Ohwojero, hailed the Local Government Trials as a resounding success. He highlighted the discovery of new talents and challenged the advancing athletes to step up their game, as the state-level trials would be an even tougher battleground.
The trials, which concluded yesterday, featured a wide range of sporting events, including weightlifting, chess, swimming, football, and canoeing. With Delta State being the reigning champion of the National Sports Festival, Team Delta is expected to be the team to beat at the upcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival.
As the countdown to the Uyo showdown begins, all eyes are on Delta State to see if it can maintain its reputation as Nigeria’s sports powerhouse.
