Former Director of Sports in Delta State, Seigha Porbeni has explained why the 2nd Niger Delta Games holding in Benin City from February 20-27 is restricted to athletes below the age of 20 years only.

The maiden edition of the Games held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, last year, was opened for athletes below 25 years.

However, Porbeni, who is the Special Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Dunamis Icon and Consultant for the Niger Delta Games, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, told ND media, that after the maiden edition in Uyo, there was the need to change the format.

“The first Niger Delta Games in Uyo was U-25. We needed the elite class to embrace the program. We all know that anything above 20 years are close to retirement depending on levels of injuries, bringing us back to the problem we intend solving. Talents discovered in this U-20 category has longer competition years,” he stated.

Speaking on the birth of the Niger Delta Games, Porbeni revealed that Ikpokpo popularly known as Malik, put a team together to share his deep thoughts about the gradual disappearance of great sports men and women from Niger Delta region.

He said: “Once upon a time, the Niger Delta region was the sports basket of the country with 80 percent of national teams usually made up of players and athletes of Niger Deltans. Names like Jay Jay Okocha, Wilson Oruma, Victor Ikpeba, Edema Fuludu, Nwankwo Kanu, Yusuf Alli, Henry Amike, Chioma Ajunwa, Endurance Ojokolo, Enefiong Udo-Obong, Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru, Blessing Oborodudu, too numerous to mention. Ikpokpo felt that replacement for these legends was not forthcoming. He said that he is deeply worried that the situation is likely to get worse if nothing is done. This thought gave birth to the Niger Delta Games, in fulfillment of Ikpokpo great vision,” Porbeni stated.

He also spoke on a recent retreat held in Benin City ahead the 2026 Games saying: “We had one in Asaba around May last year after the maiden edition of the Games. Certain areas that we had lapses were observed and strategic steps were put in place to improve on them.

“During the retreat in Benin City, chairmen of the various committees came out to present their state of readiness. We expect to witness a remarkable improvement in the area of accreditation, and long cues would be eradicated. The screening committee have been given a matching order to reduce the issue of age cheats and none indigineship to zero as much as possible.

Both the transport committee and secretaries of states liaison committees are to ensure that athletes and coaches attending the Games ride in comfortable air conditioned vehicles.

We are seriously looking forward to a much better 2nd edition of the Niger Delta Games.

“To effectively achieve our grassroot sports development drive in the Niger Delta region, funds were earmarked for trials to commence right from Wards in each state’s LGAs utilising the Federal geopolitical system, where qualified athletes move to Intra-LGA trials and finally the state finals to produce the final state teams.

With this methodology, total grassroot participation is guaranteed,” Porbeni stated.