By Sunny Canto
Expectedly, several Oil producing State contingents have begun to fly and arrive at the ancient City of Edo State capital (Benin) ahead of the forthcoming NDDC second edition; deepen the experience and talestelling moment.
However, the Niger Delta Games Draw that held on Thursday 19th, February 2026 witnessed different officials; technical experts; umpires; organizers assembled at (Media Centre) of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the LOC (Local Organizing Committee), veteran Journalist, Fred Edoreh, the (Project Director) said on Thursday, February 18th is the official arrival date of state contingents and competition officials.
"We have everything in place to welcome, host and receive Athletes and their Coaches at the Benson Idahosa University, (BIU) where hostels have been made ready for them.
"We are satisfied with the facilities in the hostels which will offer the young athletes a good experience and perhaps stimulate them to good performances", Edoreh stated.
According to Mr. Enefiok Udo-Obong (OLY), the Chairman of the Technical Committee for the games, emerged information that draws will essentially be for the ball games.
"There is no seeding, all states are rated equal and the procedure for draws of individual events will be determined during a technical meeting scheduled for late Friday at the VIP box of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium", explained Enefiok, Olympic gold medalist and the Technical Adviser to the Royal Saudi Arabia Athletics.
While the Technical meeting was attended by all the technical heads of each of the 16 sports events listed for the games.
The nine states participating states will be pooled to determine the fixtures which will schedule the four games for each gameday.
Notably, the participating teams are Rivers, Abia, Delta, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Bayelsa, Cross River and host Edo are all present in Beni for a fiercely and competitive week-long encounter in Sixteen sporting events.
Dunamis-Icon Limited is the rights owner and organizers of the Niger Delta Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).The opening ceremony has been scheduled for Friday, February 20th and the games will run through to 27th.
Delta emerged overall winner with 20 gold, 10 silver, 9 bronze medals as Bayelsa finished second on 12 gold, 8 silver, 7 bronze; while Edo settled at third position bagging 8 gold, 13 silver, 10 bronze at the first edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in 2025.
