The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has proven to be a fertile ground for discovering young sporting talents across various disciplines, including football, table tennis, wrestling, athletics, and more.
Over 20 coaches, retired elite athletes, and talent scouts have been actively engaged at the festival, sifting through the promising young athletes with the aim of nurturing them for future international success. This initiative is part of the NDDC’s ongoing efforts to boost sports development in the region and beyond.
One of the key figures in the scouting process is Francis Sule, a former captain of Nigeria’s table tennis team and now a grassroots coach. Sule expressed his satisfaction with the level of talent on display, stating that he has identified several athletes who could potentially follow in the footsteps of Nigerian table tennis legends like Funke Oshinaike, Aruna Quadri, and Bose Kaffo.
“I am very impressed with the talent I’ve seen here at the festival,” Sule remarked. “I’ve already spotted young athletes who have the potential to take over from the greats of Nigerian table tennis.”
Sule, who serves on the festival’s scouting and mentorship committee, added that he has selected a group of boys and girls who meet the necessary criteria for future development programs.
In football, Paul Omamomo, a FIFA-licensed scout, shared similar sentiments. Working alongside other football experts like Victor Ikpeba, Omamomo noted that the talent pool at the NDSF was exceptionally rich, making the selection process both exciting and challenging.
“We are faced with the tough task of picking the best from this pool of incredible talents,” said Omamomo. “I can confidently say that we’ve discovered players who have the potential to become the next Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, and Sunday Oliseh.”
Blessing Oborududu, an Olympic silver medalist in wrestling and one of the festival’s ambassadors, also expressed her excitement about the discoveries being made. As both a scout and a mentor, Oborududu believes that many of the young wrestlers she’s seen during the festival are poised to follow in her footsteps.
“I’m delighted to see young athletes who will step into our shoes in the future,” said Oborududu. “This festival has uncovered talents who will replace me and others like me. I want to thank the NDDC for this incredible initiative, which has opened doors for these kids in the region.”
Mary Onyali, a well-known Nigerian sports personality, echoed Oborududu’s sentiments, emphasizing that the NDSF offers a long-awaited platform for discovering the country’s future athletes. Onyali praised the NDDC for its continued support and expressed her confidence in the athletes identified during the festival.
“What we’ve been calling for over the years is finally being implemented by the NDDC,” said Onyali. “I’m thrilled to see that future champions have been discovered here, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
Godwin Enakhena, chairman of the festival’s scouting and mentorship committee, commended the NDDC for their vision and commitment to sports development in the Niger Delta. Enakhena highlighted the uniqueness of the NDSF, which he described as a critical step in filling the gaps in Nigeria’s sports infrastructure.
“The NDDC deserves commendation for this initiative,” said Enakhena. “The festival is timely, given the state of sports development in the country. Unlike other sports events, this festival is focused not only on identifying talent but also on nurturing and promoting athletes through meticulous mentorship. We are committed to supporting these athletes and helping them reach their full potential.”
With the NDSF showcasing the best young talent from the Niger Delta region, the future of Nigerian sports looks brighter than ever, thanks to the efforts of the NDDC and the dedication of the coaches and scouts involved.
