Unveils plans for Delta athletes
The Chairman of Delta Athletics Association, Malik Ikpokpo, has raised the alarm over alleged mass exodus of track and field stars to the United States.
 
Ikpokpo, who lamented that Delta State has continued to produce athletes with formidable potential only to lose them to the United States, said: “In 2025 alone, over 60 athletes emigrated to the U.S.A., and more are planning to leave. Reports reaching us indicate that a good number of the current athletes have already sourcing funds for their air tickets.
  
“This situation underscores the need to ensure the steady availability of competitive athletes to represent Delta State in various sub-regional and national competitions.”
 
To solidify Delta State’s place in the country’s athletics annals, Ikpokpo said that his administration has put in place plans to nurture fresh athletes to dominate Nigeria and Africa’s track and field space and enjoy a progressive and prosperous sporting career.
 
He stated that the current Delta Athletics Association board, through his financial contribution, sponsored over 50 athletes and coaches to the national trials in Sagamu, Ogun State, during the selection of Team Nigeria’s contingent to the just-concluded CAA Africa U-18/U-20 Championship in Abeokuta.
 
“Out of this number, 30 athletes and three coaches from Delta State made the team,” he said.
 
Ikpokpo listed the board’s strategic technical plans to include the introduction of new programmes and competitions at primary, secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and clubs.
 
“The programmes are strategic for the improvement of athletes at the Youths (U-18), Juniors (U-20), and the Seniors (Elite – 20yrs and above). The board shall support the State Sports Commission in the preparation of athletes for all National Competitions, including numbers of days or weeks for camping, feeding, allowances, and other requirements necessary to put our athletes at an advantage,” he stated.

On funding, Ikpokpo, who initiated the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, revealed that he would soon appoint a marketing consultant for the board.
 
“We will institute Delta Athletics Gala to celebrate outstanding athletes, sponsors, and supporters,” he said. “We will also establish Delta Athletics Trust Fund.”
 
He listed some programmes/activities for Delta State athletes this year to include AFN national/yearly competitions, four athletics classics yearly, All Nigeria Senior Open Championships slated for July 27 to August 2, 2025, National Youth Games, which will hold between August 26 and September 6, 2025.
 
Others are the 2026 National Sports Festival, at least one national trial yearly, Niger Delta Sports Festival slated for February 2026, Dr. Awoture Elaeye U-14, U-16, U-18, and Elite Championships (including possible international invitation), ALGON (JSS and SSS) Local Government Championship, and Delta State School Sports Championship.
 
“Some new competitions we are embarking on include U-12 Primary Schools Championships – with only six events: 100m, 80m, 60mh, High Jump, Long Jump, and Relays, Inter-Collegiate Championships (Among tertiary institutions), Inter-Clubs Athletics Championships (among athletics clubs), Delta State Athletics Classics (To be held in selected cities across the Senatorial Districts of the state, regular Coaching/Refresher Seminars for short sprints and jumps, middle and long distance races and the throws.
 
“Each of these sections would be accompanied by anti-doping lectures,” Ikpokpo said.