President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s senior special assistant on grassroots sports development, Prince Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye has sent out a charge to all geo-political zones across Nigeria to stage regional competitions like the ongoing Niger Delta Games in Benin City.
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Prince Adeboye gave this charge while airing his views in an exclusive interview with Sports247, during which he commended all athletes, states, organisers and sponsors who are involved in Edo 2026, which he said has to be emulated by other zones in Nigeria.
SSA Adeboye pointed out, “Other zones should emulate what they are doing here. It is very key to Nigeria’s sports development and future international impact.
“People in Niger Delta are doing their own, but it’s only for indigenes of the few participating states from their zone. They are exposing a lot of hidden young talents.
“We need more of such from all across the country. So, my advice is for other regions to come out effectively and do something like this. More zones should do what Niger Delta is doing.”
Adeboye concluded with an appeal to organisers of Niger Delta Games to step up their efforts; so that the multiple sports festival, which is now in its second edition, will continue being a virile reference point for other zones across Nigeria to follow.
“My message to the organisers is that they should continue doing this great thing that they are already doing. They are encouraging the development of Nigeria’s grassroots sports.
“I also appreciate NDDC for coming out fully to support grassroots sports and youth development in the region. They are doing a wonderful job.
“Once other agencies, companies and private partners come out like this, Nigeria will have more talents to shake the world in years to come. We need private-public partnerships in our sports.
“They must all be ready to support the development of sports in Nigeria,” butressed Adeboye, who also took time out to speak directly to some athletes, as he gave them words of encouragement and success tips.
