The Commissioner of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali, has praised the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for creating and supporting the Niger Delta Games, a platform he believes is crucial for discovering young athletic talents.
Igali, an Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, shared his enthusiasm at the sidelines of the 2nd edition of the annual multi-sport event, Edo 2026.
“I want to thank the NDDC for this initiative,” Igali said, highlighting the Games’ focus on under-20 athletes as a key factor in talent discovery. He noted significant improvements in the event’s second edition, including better facilities, transportation, and officiating.
The event provides young athletes with competitive exposure and experience, with many competing outside their state for the first time.
As a board member of United World Wrestling (UWW), Igali is convinced that sustained investment in the Niger Delta Games will give the region an edge in producing future champions, potentially winning Olympic medals.
He emphasized the need for stakeholders to look beyond state budgets, citing Bayelsa State’s partnership with sponsors as a model for public-private collaboration.
“The Niger Delta Games is proving to be a powerful talent-discovery pipeline,” Igali said, with its policy changes and upgraded facilities set to build future champions. Continued investment will raise the bar further.
