The organisers of the Niger Delta Games NDG), Dunamis-Icon Limited, on Wednesday in Benin, reiterated that states are prohibited from presenting non-indigenous athletes at the second edition of the games scheduled for Edo State, from February 20 to 27.

Also, the organisers and the host state have reaffirmed their commitment to organising a bigger regional sporting fiesta that will surpass the maiden edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The position was emphasised at a press conference inside the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, by the Managing Consultant of Dunamis-Icon Limited, and Project Manager of the Niger Delta Games, Itiako Malik Ikpokpo.

“We are determined to stamp out the practice of athletes poaching and the buying of discovered athletes from other states. So, states can only field athletes verified to be indigenes of the state,” declared Ikpokpo, who is also the co-chairman of the Main Organising Committee.

Clarifying the regulation, Ikpokpo said: “We want to encourage grassroots development of sports by discovering and nurturing talents in the nine states. There is no state that cannot find talents that can represent them.

“The Niger Delta region has consistently produced some of Nigeria’s finest athletes. The nine Niger Delta states are blessed with abundant sporting talents.”

Towards ensuring compliance, the organisers have set up a monitoring system that will be deployed for screening, while coaches have been advised to scout talent at the grassroots.

Ikpokpo said that “true athletes are found in classrooms and communities,” while emphasising that the rules have been adjusted to permit only athletes who are 20 years old and below.