by holliestanfieldThe Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee has announced the schedule for final athlete selection trials ahead of the Nigerian Delta Sports Festival NDSF, which is set to begin on April 1, 2025.
These decisive trials will take place across multiple venues in Uyo on Saturday, March 22, 2025, covering 17 different sports disciplines. At the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, trials for athletics 9:00 am, weightlifting 10:00 am, table tennis 10:00 am, boxing 11:00 am, para athletics 10:00 am, para powerlifting 10:00 am, and wrestling 10:00 am will be held.
At the University of Uyo Town Campus, basketball and volleyball will both start at 8:00 am. Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort will host tennis and canoeing trials from 10:00 am. The Uyo Township Stadium will feature traditional wrestling at 9:00 am and football, with male trials at 9:00 am and female trials at 12:00 noon. Handball will take place at Commercial Secondary School at 8:00 am, scrabble at House 5, Ewet Street at 11:00 am, swimming at Ultra Fit at 11:00 am, while chess trials will be hosted at Nobel’s School time not specified.
Catherine Ekuta, head of the technical committee, emphasised that only pre-qualified athletes will participate in these trials. Media representatives have also been invited to provide coverage and spotlight the athletes vying for selection.
Following these trials, a technical meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2025, at noon at the Nest of Champions VIP Lounge. This meeting will focus on performance assessments, the final selection of athletes, and confirmation of officials for the upcoming event.
Editorial
We are inspired by the structured approach Akwa Ibom State is taking ahead of the Nigerian Delta Sports Festival. These final trials are more than routine procedures they represent the culmination of months of hard work, determination, and preparation by both athletes and coaches.
It is heartening to see a wide array of sports receiving attention from athletics and football to chess and scrabble. This reflects the state’s commitment to developing well rounded talent and offering opportunities across various disciplines. We must continue to celebrate this inclusiveness and ensure that no sport is left behind.
We also appreciate the clarity and transparency shown by the technical committee. Catherine Ekuta’s insistence on involving only qualified athletes ensures that standards remain high. Such is necessary if Akwa Ibom is to make a strong showing at the festival.
The presence of media professionals at the trials is another positive step. It provides well-deserved exposure to upcoming athletes and allows the public to connect with the faces representing their state. We urge the media to tell these stories with passion and detail, showcasing the athletes’ efforts beyond just competition resultss.
As the countdown begins, we encourage all stakeholders athletes, coaches, and officials — to stay focused. This is a chance for Akwa Ibom to showcase talent, unity, and resilience on a regional stage. We believe this effort will lay a solid foundation for long-term sports development. Let’s stand behind our athletes and cheer them on as they prepare to shine.
Did You Know?
- The Nigerian Delta Sports Festival was first introduced to foster regional sports development among South-South states.
- Godswill Akpabio Stadium is known as the ‘Nest of Champions’ and can hold over 30,000 spectators.
- Akwa Ibom’s basketball team has previously won gold at the national level.
- Para athletics and para powerlifting are becoming increasingly popular in Nigerian regional sports festivals.
- Traditional wrestling, a key part of the trials, is one of Nigeria’s oldest sporting traditions with deep cultural roots.
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