Over 2,800 athletes set for 2026 Niger Delta games, says co-chairman Ikpokpo

Co-chairman of the 2026 Niger Delta Games, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, has announced that more than 2,800 athletes are expected to compete in next year’s edition of the regional multisport event organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sport360NG reports.

Ikpokpo disclosed this during a media parley held in Lagos on Wednesday, noting that each of the nine states in the Niger Delta region will present 270 athletes for the Games scheduled for February 2026.

“We want to build on last year’s achievement, and each participating state will submit a list of 270 athletes,” he said.

He emphasised that the organisers are committed to supporting the states in identifying and developing sporting talent across the region. Ikpokpo added that discovered athletes will be trained at the High Performance Centre in Port Harcourt.

“We don’t want to own the athletes. It is the responsibility of the states. Our role is to create a competitive platform and help groom them so the states can continue their development,” he explained.

Ikpokpo also confirmed that, as was done during the inaugural edition, the organisers will provide accommodation and allowances for all athletes and officials throughout the event.