Rivers State officials believe that their weightlifters, swimmers, boxers, and para-powerlifters are good enough to lead them to success at the forthcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) scheduled to hold from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
 
Rivers State athletes have been in camp battling to be among the selected representatives for the maiden NDSF.
 
The athletes have been training at the Boxing and Weightlifting Arena on Niger Street in Old Port Harcourt Township getting ready for the competition in Uyo.
 
The state’s technical coordinators believe they have identified some promising athletes with high potential for successful careers in their chosen fields.
 
A confident Rivers State weightlifting coach, Aduche Ojadi, said that the athletes have been training intensively since they arrived at the camp a few weeks ago, adding that the trials would show their true strength and endurance.
 
“The Niger Delta Sports Festival is indeed a fantastic initiative, providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially launch their careers. The fact that the trials are already yielding promising new athletes is a testament to the festival’s importance,” Aduche said.
 
“The festival is a great way to identify and nurture young talents, and the NDDC’s support is crucial in making this happen. By providing opportunities for young athletes to compete and develop their skills, the NDDC is not only promoting sports development, but also contributing to the overall well-being of the region and country,” Aduche added.
 
To the state’s boxing coach, Gift Otuonye, the trials provided the technical crew opportunity to see and assess boxers in the team, boasting that she has assembled champions that would replicate the golden era of the sport for the state.
 
“The boxers are all good and we are hopeful. I think that with the opportunities being provided by this Niger Delta Sports Festival, many athletes, especially boxers, will want to take advantage, come out of the creeks and embrace sports. It is time to relaunch boxing to enviable heights in the state and region,” she said.