By our reporter 7.3.2026
The Niger Delta Games might have come and gone but its impact still resonates with sports enthusiasts from the Niger Delta region and one of such is Alabo Sampson Sotonye.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Games on February 27, Mr. Sotonye praised the brains behind the Niger Delta Games and also hailed the organisers and the participating athletes for a successful outing.
Mr. Sotonye who is the special assistant on youths to Alabo Boma Iyayi the executive director of finance at the Niger Delta Development Commission, said the Niger Delta Games is a welcome idea. He noted that there are many talented youths in the area and Nigeria in general who needed to be exposed.
“First of all, I must say congratulations to Barrister Boma Iyayi who is my boss and the MD CEO of the NDDC Samuel Obuku for having the foresight to support the Niger Delta Games.
“We have so many sporting talents in the Niger Delta waiting to be discovered, but they had no competition to express themselves, but that has been made possible by the Niger Delta Games.
“These are talent that have been exposed that more people need to see them. We have more of our kids doing very well in sports and they must be exposed and groomed to become world stars in the future,” said Sotonye.
He urged sporting authorities, state governments and sponsors to come into sports to enable the youths have more local competitions to participate in as they continue to develop their skills.
“Having one tournament, and then no tournament next time, it will kill the value of your strength and your skills. But if you have more tournament and more programs, your talent will be more established and be known worldwide.
“Nigerians, states and companies around Niger Delta and Nigeria generally, should follow the lead of the NDDC and let’s have more of such tournaments. In Europe and US the athletes in all sports are busy all year round.”
He added that it was very important sports in organised in Nigeria so that more youths can have a purposeful growth and mental development.
“In Europe kids with sporting talents are under sports institutes like academics, and they are paid grants.
“This is why you see every four years for those sports developed countries you see them bringing new athletes every four year cycle most especially in to international track and field contests.”