Niger Delta Games will drive grassroots talent hunt, says Okolieogwo
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary of the Medical Team of the Edo 2026 Games, Honourable Willie Okolieogwo, has
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Secretary of the Medical Team of the Edo 2026 Games, Honourable Willie Okolieogwo, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) the sponsor of the Niger Delta Games for what he described as a transformative sporting initiative for the region.
Okolieogwo, who also served as former Imo ALGON Chairman, praised the Managing Consultant of the Games, Sir Itiako Malick Ikpokpo, Managing Director of Dunamis Icon Limited, for providing visionary leadership. He equally expressed gratitude to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, for creating the enabling platform that ensured Team Imo’s participation at the Games in Benin City.
“So far, so good, we have not recorded any bad reports. The weather has been friendly and the Games have progressed smoothly across the various centres without issues,” Okolieogwo said.
Speaking from his dual vantage point as a key government official and Secretary of the Medical Team for the Edo 2026 edition, Okolieogwo disclosed that he has been moving round competition venues to monitor proceedings and ensure that athletes and officials receive proper medical attention.
“As Secretary of the Medical Team, I have been observing what is happening at different venues and ensuring that athletes and officials are properly attended to. Their health and safety remain paramount,” he stated.
On Team Imo’s performance, the former ALGON Chairman said the contingent has conducted itself admirably, stressing that the ultimate outcome of the Games cannot be determined until the final events are concluded.
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“Team Imo is doing well. You do not know the end of the game until it is over. Our contingent has given a good image of themselves,” he noted.
Okolieogwo, however, emphasised that the primary objective of participation is not merely to win laurels but to identify and nurture talents from grassroots communities. He revealed that Team Imo complied strictly with the Under-20 requirement, fielding genuine U-20 athletes in line with the competition rules.
“It is not cast in stone that we have come to win medals. The core aim is to harness talents from our various communities. We came with real Under-20 athletes as stipulated, unlike some states that defaulted,” he said.
He reiterated that outstanding athletes discovered at the Games would be closely monitored and supported to sustain their development, with the long-term goal of representing Nigeria at international competitions.
According to him, the Niger Delta region currently stands out as a model for youth empowerment through sports, offering young athletes opportunities that could discourage the growing trend of seeking greener pastures abroad.
“The Niger Delta is presently the only region making deliberate efforts to empower young athletes and prepare them adequately. Instead of leaving Nigeria for better prospects that is not guaranteed, they can build their careers here, contribute to national development and become worthy ambassadors of the country,” Okolieogwo concluded.
