Stakeholders want ‘desperate’ coaches, administrators punished
Less than 12 hours after the disqualification of Edo State swimmer, Otunla Kolade Israel, and his six medals stripped at the ongoing 2nd Niger Delta Games, five more athletes have been evicted over eligibility concerns ranging from age discrepancies to last minute change of state-of-origin.

The latest wave of disqualifation came, just as stakeholders are pushing for stiffer punishment to be melted on “desperate” coaches and administrators to curb sharp practices within the Nigerian sports ecosystem.

Acting on a protest, the Technical Committee for the Games disqualified Israel representing Edo State, and stripped him of all six medals (five gold and one silver) in swimming after his National Identification Number (NIN) indicated that he hails from Ikorodu in Lagos State.

In handball, John Vera and Ayimba Maria (Bayelsa State) were both disqualified on grounds of age declaration, with documentation reportedly showing they were overage for their category.

Also, Goodness Ekunke (Chess) was also disqualified after inconsistencies were discovered in submitted eligibility documents.

Okafor Adolphus, a track and field athlete representing Ondo State was sent packing from the competition following investigations that revealed issues relating to state of origin and age declaration. He is said to be from Anambra State.

However, not all protested cases resulted in sanctions. Bright Joel Udoh (Edo State, Table Tennis) and Wisdom Chibueze Nweke (Abia State, Tennis) were cleared after reviews found insufficient grounds for disqualification.

Another track and field athlete, Ngozi Okereke Treasure (Delta State) was deemed eligible to compete despite an age discrepancy flagged by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), as no legal documentation was provided to substantiate the claim.

The NDG managers say the disciplinary decisions underscore the Games’ commitment to upholding eligibility rules and maintaining competitive integrity across all participating states.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have urged orgnaisers of the Games to bring to book “desperate” coaches and sports administrators, who are behind the manipulation of athletes.

Those who spoke with The Guardian on the issue, yesterday, said that the orgnisers should wield the big stick on coaches and state officials whose athletes are involved either in age cheat or have issues with state of origin.

“There is a section in the rules governing the Niger Delta Games, which says that any coach or state official, whose athletes is caught cheating should equally face punishment. I want the NDG organisers to stick to it and bring these “desperate” coaches and administrators to book. That is the only way to bring sanity to our sports,” one track and field coach told The Guardian, pleading anonymity.

However, despite losing five gold and one silver medals following the disqualification of its swimmer, Edo State has bounced back to retain the number one spot on the medals table, leading with 33 gold medals, seven more than Delta, whose overall haul of 72 medals is the highest of the competition.

Notably, 10 of Edo’s gold medals came from weightlifting, with the trio of Goodnews Jacob, Beauty Akpore, and Esther Adebola each winning three gold medals apiece.

Defending champions, Bayelsa, has slipped further behind Delta, settling into third place with 19 gold and a total of 45 medals.

Akwa Ibom and Rivers continue to battle closely in mid-table, while Imo dropped further down the ladder after the latest update.

The medal standings highlight both the intensity of the rivalry and the determination of athletes across the Niger Delta region.

There were reports yesterday that more athletes may be stripped of their medals due to eligibility issues before the end of the Games.