Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, Managing Consultant at Dunamis Icon Limited, has called for a firm end to age falsification in Nigerian sports, describing the practice as a major obstacle to genuine athlete development and international success.
READ ALSO: Julie Sports Reacts as Victor Osimhen Fires Galatasaray into UCL Last 16
Speaking at the ongoing Niger Delta Games, Ikpokpo stressed the need for integrity in age-grade competitions and athlete identification systems.
“We need to curb age cheating in sports. You cannot be 25 and say you are 16,” he said.
“The point we are making is that this year we made the age limit 20. We have improved in terms of young athletes. If we don’t stop age cheating, we will never find ourselves on the podium.
Ikpokpo acknowledged that tackling age falsification is a gradual process, but expressed confidence that meaningful progress can be achieved with sustained commitment from sports administrators and stakeholders.
“Our sports administrators support this move. I think it is a process, and we will get there,” he added.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to promote fair competition, protect genuine youth talents, and ensure long-term athlete development across grassroots and elite levels in the Niger Delta region.
