‼️Omolara Ogunmakinju Applauds Niger Delta Games, Hails It as a Platform for Ondo’s Next Generation Athletes to Shine


Three-time Olympian and African Games champion, Omolara Ogunmakinju, has applauded the organisers of the Niger Delta Games, describing the competition as a vital platform for discovering and showcasing the next generation of athletes from Ondo State and the wider Niger Delta region.


Ogunmakinju, who represented Team Nigeria with distinction at the 2024 African Games in Ghana, noted that the Niger Delta Games aligns perfectly with the long-standing tradition of sporting excellence associated with Ondo State.


Ondo has produced several outstanding athletes who have gone on to represent Nigeria at the highest levels of international competition. These include Omolara Ogunmakinju herself, Folashade Abugan, Etim Margret, Opeyemi Oke, Oloye Josephine, as well as male standouts such as Femi Ogunode, Seun Ogunkoya, Isiaq Adeyanju, and Lawrence Adegbehingbe, among others.


Speaking on the significance of the Games, Ogunmakinju emphasized its role in talent discovery and regional development.


“The Niger Delta Games will provide a platform where Ondo athletes can define their talents and show the Niger Delta region where the true potential of track and field in Nigeria lies,” she said.


Ogunmakinju’s career places her among Nigeria’s most accomplished quarter-milers. She is a three-time Olympian, a national champion in the women’s 400m, a two-time gold medallist at the African Athletics Championships, and a double African Games gold medallist. She currently represents Harding University in the United States, where she has established herself as one of the institution’s all-time great athletes.


As preparations intensify for the Niger Delta Games 2026, Ogunmakinju encouraged Ondo athletes to approach the competition with purpose and confidence, urging them to seize the opportunity to announce themselves on a regional stage.


“This is an opportunity for Ondo athletes to raise their level, put up strong performances, and showcase the depth of talent the state is known for,” she added, ahead of the competition scheduled to commence in Benin City next month.


The Niger Delta Games, conceived as a multi-sport initiative aimed at grassroots development and regional integration, continues to gain traction as a strategic platform for identifying emerging talents, promoting unity, and strengthening the sports ecosystem across the Niger Delta. 


With athletics traditionally serving as one of Nigeria’s strongest medal-winning sports, the Games are expected to play a key role in shaping the future of track and field in the region as preparations build toward the 2026 edition.

#DynamicAthleticsHub

#Athletics

 #NigerDeltaGames

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