Amike seeks more improvement for ‘remarkable Niger Delta Games
Former Nigeria international and one-time 400m hurdles national record holder, Henry Amike, has praised the ongoing Niger Delta Games, describing the competition as fascinating while highlighting areas that require improvement.
Former Nigeria international and one-time 400m hurdles national record holder, Henry Amike, has praised the ongoing Niger Delta Games, describing the competition as fascinating while highlighting areas that require improvement.
Amike commended the decision to restrict the Games to Under-20 athletes, noting that it marks a significant shift toward genuine youth development. He observed that unlike the maiden edition, which featured over-aged competitors, the current format has ensured proper age compliance within the 16–20 bracket.
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While rating the technical standard above 70 percent, Amike expressed concern over race management, particularly delays at the starting area and repeated malfunctions of the starting gun.
He stressed that athletes should not be kept waiting for long periods before their races, urging organisers to align operations with international best practices.
Despite these concerns, he identified promising talents in the men’s 100m, 200m, 400m hurdles, and women’s 800m events, expressing confidence that many could excel if properly nurtured.
Amike applauded the NDDC and Dunamis Icon for the initiative and called on other regions to replicate the model to broaden Nigeria’s talent base.
