Niger Delta Games Boss Ikpokpo Reacts To Sportsville Honour

Niger Delta Games Boss Ikpokpo Reacts To Sportsville Honour

By Admin 

Sir Itiako Ikpokpo has described his nomination for the 2025 Sportsville Sports Personality of the Year Award as a collective recognition of the contributions of athletes, coaches, officials, media practitioners, and fans who contributed to the success of the Niger Delta Games.

Reacting to the announcement, Ikpokpo expressed gratitude to the organisers for considering him worthy of the honour, noting that recognition in Nigeria’s sports sector is often rare despite the efforts of many stakeholders.

“I am happy and privileged to be nominated for this huge honour,” he said. “Nigeria’s sports landscape is one where contributions are not always recognised or remembered, so this acknowledgement at this time shows that people are taking note.”

Ikpokpo, the Managing Director of Dunamis Icon, the company behind the Niger Delta Games, emphasised that the nomination reflects the collective effort of a dedicated team committed to transforming sports in the country.

“This award is for all members of the Niger Delta Games team. We have a passionate group that believes strongly in the vision of repositioning Nigerian sports, and this recognition belongs to all of us,” he said.

He added that the nomination serves as motivation to intensify efforts in grassroots sports development, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

“With this recognition comes greater responsibility—more work to discover emerging talents, more work to train and empower coaches, and more work to prepare these athletes to bring honour to Nigeria in the future,” Ikpokpo said during a virtual interview.

A former two-term Chairman of Isoko South Local Government and current Chairman of the Delta State Athletics Association, Ikpokpo reiterated his commitment to youth development through sports.

“Our goal is to add value by identifying and nurturing young talents from the Niger Delta. By honing their skills, we aim to ensure Nigeria remains competitive on the global stage,” he said.

“Two years into this journey, we are confident that we are on track. I remain grateful to everyone who believes in this vision. Together, we can build a brighter future for Nigerian sports.”

The Sportsville Sports Personality of the Year Award, the organisation’s highest honour, recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria.

Last year’s award was presented to Dr Uyi Akpata, former President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation, while the 2024 recipient was Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League Board.

The 2025 edition, the sixth in the series, will be chaired by Dr Larry Izamoje and is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Country Club in Ikeja on March 28.