The Chairman of the Screening Sub-Committee for the Niger Delta Games, Mr. Braveman Wodi, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and number of young athletes in Team Edo’s camp following a rigorous screening exercise conducted on Tuesday evening.
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Wodi reiterated the firm stance of the Games’ organisers, Dunamis Icon Ltd, on strict compliance with eligibility rules, particularly in the fight against age cheating.
He emphasised that a thorough pre-competition screening process is being enforced across all nine participating states to ensure fairness and credibility.
“We have been going from state to state screening athletes for the Niger Delta Games. Today, we are in Edo to carry out the same exercise. We also held an advocacy meeting with the coaches before the screening began,” Wodi said.
“We are doing this to let participants understand the importance attached to due process. Dunamis Icon Ltd is determined to eliminate age cheating, so we need full cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure fair and clean competition.”
He described the Edo screening as robust and comprehensive, noting that the presence of genuinely young athletes aligns with the vision of the organisers.
“It was a thorough screening exercise, and we are impressed with the good number of young athletes we found here. Most of them are actually kids, and that is exactly what the organisers want.
We are sending a clear signal that we are deliberate and intentional in this fight against age cheating. There will also be another round of screening during the Games proper,” he added.
Wodi further stated that the goal for the 2026 edition in Benin is to build on the success of the maiden edition held in Uyo by discovering and nurturing truly young talents who can eventually represent Nigeria on the international stage.
The screening committee members were received on arrival in Benin by the Secretary of the Edo Liaison Committee, Engr. Idahosa Bright, and the Director of Sports Development and Operations, Pastor Osayomore Aghahowa.
All nine Niger Delta states are expected to participate in the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold in Benin, Edo State, from February 20 to 27, 2026.
