Coaches and Technical Officials participating in the Niger Delta Games are set to benefit from a training programme aimed at enhancing their efficiency ahead of the 2026 Games.
Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, Managing Director of Dunamis Icon Limited and Managing Consultant for the Niger Delta Games, revealed this recently during an interview in a television programme.
Addressing how the organisers plan to sustain talent discovery, Sir Ikpokpo criticized the poor remuneration of coaches, questioning how they are expected to scout for talents in communities under such conditions.
He announced plans to collaborate with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Nigeria Local Content Development and Management Board to host a workshop in January for Coaches and Technical Officials.
Sir Ikpokpo called on state and federal governments to prioritize sports funding alongside other infrastructure projects like roads and hospitals, emphasizing the need for investments in sports infrastructure.
He also criticized the lack of sports facilities in schools, highlighting the importance of schools as the foundation for sports development.
Sir Ikpokpo assured that the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State, will see significant improvements compared to the previous edition.
