Edo State facilities pass Niger Delta Sports Festival inspection

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Dunamis-Icon Limited, Project Consultants of the Niger Delta Games, has concluded the first phase of physical inspection and evaluation of facilities for the event, 24 hours after the presentation of the hosting rights to Edo State.

The project management team was guided around select facility locations in Benin City by Desmond Amadin Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission.

Team leader, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, expressed satisfaction with the sports infrastructure assets of the host state.

“Edo is a ready-made choice based on all the factors that are necessary to host this kind of big event. We are expecting over 3,000 athletes, coaches, alongside journalists and technical officials, with an approximate number of people outside spectators in the range of 5,000. So, we need facilities that work for the Games itself,” Ikpokpo explained.

He commended the Edo State Government for the good state of facilities at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, and promised that the state will be assisted with the renovation of some facilities as may be necessary to ensure a good competition experience for the athletes.

“I have been to the iconic Ogbe Stadium and must commend the Edo State Government for maintaining the facilities there. We are also considering taking some events to the University of Benin, so that people in that part of the city can also feel and enjoy the fun. Where need be, we will also see how to assist the state and the University of Benin to add value to some of the sporting facilities,” he stated.

Dunamis Icon Limited is the franchise rights owner to the games conceived and designed to provide a platform for unity and integration, and to identify and groom talented youths from the region into national and international stars.

The NDDC, as the flagship interventionist agency for the nine states that make up the region, is the prime sponsor of the games as part of their strategic focus on youth engagement and human capital development.

The inspection tour began at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, after a brief meeting with Enabulele and the Sports Commission team at his office. Areas inspected include the stadium’s main bowl, the tartan track, the state box, the VIP lounges and other key areas like the ceremonial room, the media studio and other indoor facilities.

Other facility locations assessed are the Wire Road Sports Centre, listed to host basketball and volleyball games, the University of Benin Sports Complex, and the Etete Sports Centre.

In the entourage of Dunamis-Icon were the Project Director, Mr Fred Edoreh; Director of Facilities and Equipment, Dr Emmanuel Ochuko Igbigbisie; the Head of Communications, Harry Iwuala; Head of Transport and Logistics, Israel Umueri Afoke; Theresa Ineke, Head of Secretariat; Godwin Enakhena, the Head of Scouting; Mr Edi Lawani, the Head of Culture Affairs and Entertainment; and Elder Siegha Porbeni of the Technical Department.

The Edo Sports Commission Chairman was also supported by Hon. Frank Ilaboya and Mrs Sabina Chikere, Executive Directors, with Mr Baldwin Bazuaye (MON) also in the company.

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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