Dunamis Icon Praised for Athlete Screening Ahead of 2nd Niger Delta Games
Dunamis Icon Limited has earned high praise from the Niger Delta Games Screening Committee for its commitment to enforcing athlete screening across the nine participating states.
The committee, led by Braveman Wodi, has been touring the region to ensure that only qualified young athletes make it to the second edition of the Games, scheduled for February 20–27, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State.
After the screening exercise in Imo State, committee member Anthony Chukwu, popularly known as Tonnex Chukwu, expressed admiration for the organisers’ foresight.
He described the initiative as a crucial step toward achieving the objectives of the Niger Delta Games, noting that the pre-competition checks have already opened the eyes of stakeholders to the importance of nurturing genuine young talent.
Chukwu singled out Dunamis Icon’s Chief Executive, Itiako Ikpokpo, for his vision of rejuvenating sports in the Niger Delta.
According to him, Ikpokpo’s insistence on lowering the age threshold for participation is a deliberate move to discover and develop younger athletes who can represent the region at national and international competitions.
‘Thinking about the idea of screening before the competition is beautiful,’ Chukwu remarked.
Touring the Imo State trial centres, Chukwu was impressed by the dedication of coaches in preparing athletes. He urged them to see themselves as indispensable to the success of the Games, warning against age falsification that undermines long-term development.
‘The success of whatever we are planning will very much be dependent on the coaches. They are the first line of contact for these athletes,’ he said, adding his hope that the 2026 edition will produce a new generation of athletes ready to shine on bigger stages.
With all nine Niger Delta states set to participate, the mandatory screening exercise is expected to ensure fairness, credibility, and the discovery of authentic young talents when the Games kick off in Edo State.
