Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – A
new era in grassroots sports development is emerging from the ongoing Niger
Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), as athletes identified at the event will now
undergo systematic, science-based training in specially organized camps.
This revelation was made by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo,
Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the festival, during a
media briefing with journalists covering the week-long games.
According to Ikpokpo, the initiative moves beyond the
traditional focus on medals and podium finishes. “This festival is not about
who came first or who won gold. Our scouts are looking out for hints of
potential — quality that can be groomed for future success,” he said.
As of Day 4 of the festival, over 60 athletes have
already been identified by a panel of scouts comprising seasoned coaches,
former athletes, and talent spotters. Notably, many of the names on the list
are not necessarily medalists.
“The real work is not this festival,” Ikpokpo
emphasized. “It is to design and implement a robust plan to nurture the talents
discovered here, so they can eventually replace those currently representing
Nigeria.”
He explained that the next phase involves setting up
development camps where selected athletes will receive training based on
scientific research and under the supervision of certified coaches. Ikpokpo,
who also serves as the lead consultant for the project, stressed that the
long-term goal is sustainable talent development.
The NDSF, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC), aligns with the commission’s broader mandate to uplift
communities across the nine mandate states. This year’s edition, which began on
April 1 and runs through April 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, features over 3,000
athletes and 500 officials competing in 17 different sports.
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