By Anne Azuka
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to urgently address the growing problem of age cheating at the National Youth Games (NYG). He said the practice undermines the credibility of the competition and must be curbed to preserve fairness.
The governor made the appeal on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, during the closing ceremony of the 9th edition of the Games, which he described as a festival of unity, discipline, and excellence.
“What began days ago with great excitement has now come to a glorious conclusion. Today, we celebrate not only the medal winners but also the triumph of sportsmanship and national pride that this festival of youth has demonstrated,” Oborevwori said.
He commended the athletes for their courage and determination, noting that every participant had inspired the nation regardless of whether they won medals. While praising Team Delta for maintaining its tradition of sporting excellence, he also stressed that the Games remain a key platform for discovering new talents nationwide.
Oborevwori, however, lamented that the practice of fielding over-aged athletes threatens the future of the Games. He urged the NSC to adopt stricter measures to restore integrity and ensure that the competition remains a true nursery of young talents.
The governor expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the NSC, the Local Organizing Committee, coaches, officials, and volunteers for making the event a success. He also thanked visitors for making Asaba their home during the Games and reaffirmed Delta’s readiness to host the 10th edition in 2026, in line with the state’s four-year hosting rights.
Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, represented by Chief Amaka Asiofu, described the Asaba edition as “an incredible experience, marked by fair competition, determination, exciting adventures, and inspirational sportsmanship.” He praised Delta State’s robust sports development system and assured that the Commission will continue to nurture young talents while building a sports-driven economy that supports Nigeria’s GDP.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr. Onoriode Oborevwori, said the Games highlighted not only the competitive spirit of Nigerian athletes but also values of friendship, resilience, and cooperation. He urged stakeholders to sustain collaboration for sports development and excellence.
In the final medal table, Lagos State emerged overall winners for the first time with 110 medals — 52 gold, 32 silver, and 26 bronze. Delta State came second with 114 medals — 37 gold, 38 silver, and 39 bronze — while Edo State finished third with 79 medals, including 33 gold.
In total, 33 states won medals, with 802 medals awarded: 246 gold, 236 silver, and 320 bronze.
