By Solomon OKPO
Organizers of the Niger Delta Games have inaugurated the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee as preparations intensify for the second edition of the regional sports fiesta scheduled to hold next year in Edo State.
The inauguration took place on December 15 in Uyo, at the office of the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports. Performing the ceremony, the Managing Director of Dunamis Icon Limited and Project Consultant for the Games, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo-Atanaru of Irri Kingdom, disclosed that the forthcoming tournament would strictly be for athletes under the age of 20.
Sir Ikpokpo, who was represented by veteran journalist and author, Fred Edoreh, charged members of the committee to ensure the effective mobilization and registration of athletes through the official Games portal. He emphasized that athletes who fail to register would not be cleared to participate in the competition.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, praised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating and sustaining the Niger Delta Games for two consecutive years. He described the championship as a vital platform for talent discovery and sports development in the region.
Elder Bassey noted that the Games align with the sports development vision of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and reaffirmed the state’s readiness to participate fully while adhering strictly to the rules and regulations of the competition.
“It is the mandate of His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for us to go to the grassroots and discover talents, and these Games have come to help us achieve exactly that,” he said. “On behalf of the committee, I assure you that we will insist on quality, thoroughness, discipline and total compliance.”
The Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee is chaired by Elder Paul Bassey, with Mr. Mfon Bassey serving as secretary. Other members include Olympian Catherine Ewa, George Essien, and Edidiong Stephen.
The committee is tasked with overseeing pre-Games coordination and logistical planning to ensure a smooth and successful participation of Team Akwa Ibom at the second Niger Delta Games.
