Ahead of the second Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold in Benin, Edo State capital between February 20th and 27th this year, Team Edo on Thursday , January 15, 2026 began athletes trials, signalling the commencement of their final preparation for the games.
The host state started with the athletics association whose athletes and coaches took over the track and field at the early hours of the day with the athletes sweating it out.
The athletes featured in 100M, 200, 400 race and Long Jump. Others are Triple Jump, High Jump, Javelin, Discos and Hammer among others.
Some of the athletes both new discoveries and established ones who spoke on their level of preparation for the Niger Delta Games said they are working tirelessly to ensure that they win gold for Edo State.
Among them are Emmanuel Shakamomodu (Javelin), Ibrahim Haamidu (Long Jump Jenifer Osemwengie female Long Jumper . According to them and their coaches, the organizers and Sponsors of the Niger Delta Games Dunamis Icons Ltd and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is already a motivation for them, saying that they wait in anticipation for the excitement of the games come February this year.
Speaking, the head coach of the Edo State Athletics Association Thadeus Omodiale said that his association is always ahead in terms of preparation.
” We are ninety percent ready for the Niger Delta Games. We started the trials today and it went well. We already know those that can deliver.
“We know our athletes capacity and capability but the trials were necessary as it will enable us to do the selection of athletes’ properly.
We begining full training on Monday as part of the final preparation for the games ” Omodiale said.
Also speaking, the Director, Sports Development and Operations Pastor Osayomore Aghahowa declared that Edo is ready for the games.
According to him, having concluded the athletes registration process,trials have started and we hope to continue next week.
