By Ben Efe 11.2.2026
Two times Olympics 4x400m relay medalist Enefiok Udo-Obong said the Niger Delta Development Commission has done well bankrolling the Niger Delta Games, which presents a platform for young Nigerians athletes to exhibit their talents.
The 2026 edition is billed for February 20-27 in Benin City, Edo State with only Under-20 athletes allowed to compete and nine States from the Niger Delta region a catchment area in athletics participating.
Udo-Obong who was speaking against the background of scanty competitions in Nigeria noted that the Niger Delta Games is like a shot in the arm for athletes’ growth adding that for proper development of athletes there has to be regular competitions for them to practice, but sadly Nigeria is not faring well in that regard.
“We have the NDDC a corporation organisation bringing funds to sponsor a competition…. that is a first step and an applaudable step. We should not be demanding or asking for more at this stage,” said the Olympian who won gold at the 2000 Games in Sydney and silver at the Athens 2004 Games.
He pointed out that more of such competitions are needed in Nigeria and other corporate bodies should step up and chip in their might.
“Having competitions is the crux of athletics development and we don’t have enough of them. As a comparison; the US has over 200 competitions a year. Saudi Arabia has over 60 a year. Nigeria barely has 5 or 6…so if more organisations come out to sponsor events, we would all benefit as a nation,” Udo-Obong added.
Back in the glory days of Nigerian athletics there were multiple competition at both the underage and senior level. There were meets like the Folawuyo U-18 championships, MKO Abiola U-20 Championships and then the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Classics, which was held in major cities across Nigeria.
However, in recent times the only competition that is guaranteed in the calendar of the AFN is the National Championships and from all indications it has lost its verve and glamour. Mainly because athletes starved of competitions are usually not at their best, competing in what certainly is their first competition of the season.