The Edo State Government has approved a two-week closed camping programme for selected athletes and coaches ahead of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games scheduled to hold in Benin City from February 20 to 27.
The Secretary of the Edo State Liaison Committee for the Niger Delta Games, Bright Idahosa, disclosed this on Wednesday as the state commenced trials to select athletes for the regional sports festival.
Idahosa said the closed camping, which begins on Sunday, is aimed at intensifying training and fine-tuning preparations for the games.
He added that only the best athletes within the approved under-20 age bracket would be selected to represent Edo State at the competition.
According to him, the ongoing trials, organised by Team Edo, are being conducted across the 18 local government areas of the state and involve all 17 sports associations participating in the games.
Idahosa said the trials, which began on Wednesday, are expected to produce athletes who will compete for the state at the festival.
He added that the Executive Chairman of the Edo Sports Commission and Chairman of the State Liaison Committee, Amadin Enabulele, directed that all trials must be concluded by Friday.
“Edo is set for the final stage of preparation for the Niger Delta Games and to host other states in the region.
“All participating sports associations must complete the trials as directed,” he said.
Idahosa further stated that members of the Edo Liaison Committee and technical officials had been mandated to monitor the exercise to ensure credible selection of athletes.
The Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited, will feature athletes from the nine states in the Niger Delta region.
Source: punch
