Rivers State will end its selection of athletes for the 2026 Niger Delta Games with an open screening of players for its football team on Saturday, the state’s selection committee has said.

The trials began yesterday for athletes in chess, table tennis, tennis and Scrabble. It continues today with trials for handball players and wrestlers.

The screening of swimmers and powerlifters will be held on Thursday, while Friday is for
basketballers, boxers and weightlifters.

The selection committee said that the trials are aimed at selecting athletes who will represent Team Rivers across all 16 sporting events approved by the organisers of the Niger Delta Games.

They disclosed that trials in athletics have already been concluded, adding that this final phase of state trials will continue in the coming days before the full camping of selected athletes ahead of Edo 2026.

The NDG is organised by Dunamis-Icon for the nine states that make up the region, which are members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Rivers State Director of Sports, Mrs Ibia Inyengiyikabo, said that the state’s athletes are fully prepared for the forthcoming Games, while praising the athletes’ commitment, energy, and zeal to represent the state.

“We have seen athletes who can do even better in the future, and with consistent training, we are optimistic about winning medals,” she said.

The Niger Delta Games finals will hold in Benin City, Edo State, from February 20 to 27, with over 3000 athletes and 500 officials participating in the fiesta.