The second edition of the Niger Delta Games has commenced in Benin City with a strong reform-driven message, as organisers declared zero tolerance for age falsification, doping, athlete poaching, and other unethical practices in Nigerian sports.

Chairman of Dunamis-Icon Limited, the organisers of the Games, Sir Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, said the tournament is designed not only to discover talent but to reset the standards of grassroots sports development. Speaking at the iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Ikpokpo emphasised that the long-term objective is to restore credibility and discipline within the system.

According to him, Nigeria is blessed with abundant sporting talent across all states, making athlete poaching unnecessary. He stressed the need to groom athletes within their communities, invest in coaching development, and ensure young competitors compete in clean and transparent environments.

Beyond competition, Ikpokpo highlighted the broader social impact of the Games, noting that many participants are travelling outside their home states for the first time. He described the exposure as life-changing, adding that sports can serve as a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment and social transformation.

On the track, Delta State’s Ejiro Peter delivered the standout performance of the opening weekend. The sprint sensation stormed to gold in the girls’ 100 metres final, clocking 11.55 seconds to the admiration of spectators. She narrowly edged Tejiri Ugoh Praise of Team Edo (11.58s) and Victory Imosiemoh Azobudi, also of Edo (11.59s), in a tightly contested race.

In the boys’ 100 metres final, Chibueze Osama of Team Delta claimed gold in 10.41 seconds, finishing ahead of teammate Saturday Godswill (10.43s) and Gift Bright of Akwa Ibom (10.82s). Delta further strengthened its dominance by winning gold in the men’s triple jump and shot put events.

Other notable performances included gold medals for Rebecca Njoku Ujunwa and Emmanuel Shakamomodu of Team Edo in the girls’ and boys’ hammer throw respectively. Delta’s Okuwedinuwe Mathew secured gold in the 100m breaststroke, while Edo’s Pere Kimiakighe topped the girls’ 100m breaststroke. Bayelsa claimed gold in the 50m freestyle, and Team Imo triumphed in the boys’ 65kg para-powerlifting category.

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to sponsoring the annual event, describing it as a strategic investment in the future of youths across the region.

As competition intensifies, Team Delta and Bayelsa are currently neck and neck on the medals table, rekindling the rivalry from the maiden edition in Uyo where Bayelsa edged Delta on the final day.

While medals are being won, organisers insist the bigger victory lies in redefining integrity, opportunity, and development in Nigerian grassroots sports.