By Anne Azuka
The Joint Technical Committee of the 8th edition of the National Youth Games tagged, Asaba 2024 has approved 36 sports in the forthcoming competition, with kick-boxing and Kung fu ratified for medal scoring.
The event which had been earlier scheduled to commence on the 10th of September 2024 has been shifted by a day and would now commence on the 9th of September 2024 and end on the 19th of September.
The committee also fixed the age grade of the athletes at Under 15.
Speaking at the just concluded Joint Technical Committee Meeting of the 8th Edition of the National Youth Games held at the Stephen Keshi stadium, Asaba, the Minister for Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, represented by the Director Grassroots Sports Development in the Ministry, Mr Patrick Okeke explained that the adjustment in the date was brought back by one day due to the INEC scheduled gubernatorial elections in Edo State on 21 September which would lead to a total lockdown and restriction of movement in the State.
He said if the earlier date was sustained it would see various contingents from the South West who would pass through Edo State on their way back to their states violating the restriction order.
The Minister also disclosed that the Zonal eliminations would commence on the 28th of August to the 1st of September while registration would commence from 24th to 28th of August and it would be done online.
He however thanked the Delta State Government for it’s commitment towards cadet sports development, saying the State had shown it’s readiness to host the rest of Nigeria again.
The Minister appealed that the little renovation work spotted during the inspection of the various facilities be attended to swiftly to ensure a hitch free games.
Earlier, Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Festus Ohwojero while assuring the various contingents arriving the National Youth Games of a memorable outing said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remained committed to delivering an enhanced sports fiesta that would take the National Youth Games to a higher pedestal.
Mr Ohwojero averred that Governor Oborevwori had made all that was necessary to host one of the best games available.
He asserted that the governor’s intention was clear as he had put in place egg heads in the Nations sports industry into the Local Organising Committee with the former President of the Athletics Federation, Chief Solomon Ogba who was also a former Commissioner of Sport Development as Chairman.
He said the immediate past Chairman of the Sports Commission and President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Chief Tonobok Okowa as well as the President of the Aquatics Federation of Nigeria Chief Chinoye Dafe, a former Director General of the Delta State Sports Commission, Chief Victor Onogagamue who was a onetime Chairman of the Nigeria Directors of Sports as well as renowned Sports presenter, Harrison Ocholor and grassroots sports administrator, Mr Onoriode Oborevwori as members.
The Director General stressed that it was a clear indication that this year’s games would be like no other before it as Governor Oborevwori was committed to doing more for the Sports sector in line with his MORE Agenda.
Mr Ohwojero however enjoined the various contingents to compete free and fair, saying there would be no place for age cheats at the 8th edition of the National Youth Games which would be held at the Steven Keshi International Stadium Asaba.
