Delta State Athletics Association chairman Chief Malik Itiako Ikpokpo has urged home-based athletes gearing up for the All Nigeria Athletics National Trials to enter the event with belief in their abilities as they target selection ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Key takeaways
- Chief Malik Itiako Ikpokpo urged local athletes to compete in Lagos with confidence and determination.
- He stressed that preparation and mindset matter more than the competition environment.
- Ikpokpo believes multiple up-and-coming athletes can make a significant impression at the trials.
- He pointed to the talent identified during the Niger Delta Games as evidence of future breakthroughs.
- His work in grassroots athletics development has drawn praise from sports stakeholders.
Mindset and readiness highlighted ahead of Lagos trials
Speaking before the trials in Lagos, Ikpokpo told the athletes to concentrate on their preparation rather than the venue itself. He argued that performance will ultimately be shaped by how ready they are mentally and physically when it is time to compete.
He said, “Tracks are the same everywhere. What matters most is your confidence, preparation and determination to perform at your best.”
Talent pipeline from the Niger Delta Games
Ikpokpo also expressed strong confidence that several emerging athletes could produce standout performances during the national trials. In his view, the Niger Delta Games has been a rich source for discovering and nurturing future stars who can eventually challenge at the highest level.
He added that the regional event has evolved into a key pathway for identifying talent and helping it develop. “I strongly believe a young athlete can pull a surprise in Lagos. We saw so many talented youngsters during the Niger Delta Games, and in a competition like this, one breakthrough performance can change everything,” he said.
Ikpokpo—who serves as Chief Executive Officer of Dunamis Icon and is also the founder of the Niger Delta Games—has been commended by sports stakeholders for his commitment to advancing athletics from the grassroots level.
Now in its annual run, the Niger Delta Games continues to open doors for young competitors across the region, with a growing number of its former participants gradually stepping into roles as future prospects for Nigerian athletics.
